■^■•tzp  <  -»> 


fe 


/ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2010  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/englishnunorsorrOOseld 


Fp^oktispiece. 


THE 

OR,    T*K 

Sorrows  of  edward  and  louisa. 

A  NOVEL. 


fcv  CATHARINE  SELDEN,   Author  of 
Serena,  Ifc, 


Here  in  the  shelter  of  this  calm  retreat, 
Did  sorrow  find  a  safe  and  tranquil  home; 
Did  meek  ey'd  Resignation  take  her  seat ; 
And  bow  submission  to  her  Maker's  doom. 

i»:®:©:®:«»i 

Printed  by  J,  SWAINE,  No,  49,  Pearl-st, 
180C. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


THE  principal  circumstances  of  the 
following  little  TALE,  may,  to  some  persons, 
appear  too  improbable  to  justify  their  introduc- 
tion even  into  a  fictitious  story  ;  and  others, 
(more  charitable)  may  simply  accuse  the  Au- 
thor of  plagiarism.  As  an  evidence  of  the  pos- 
sibility of  such  conduct  as  that  of  the  Heroine, 
the  Author  refers  the  incredulous  to  the  well 
known  circumstance  mentioned  by  Mr.  Baretti, 
in  the  First  Volume  of  his  Travels  thro'  Spain 
and  Portugal,  and  candidly  owns  that  the  story 
there  related  gave  the  first  hint  of  the  HISTO- 
RY  OF  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 


THE 


<Sn0li.0l)  JBun. 


T 

-1*.  HE  Earl  of  Montrose  was  one  of  those 
few  Scotch  peers,  Avho,  persevering  in  the  Ca- 
tholic worship,  are  excluded  from  all  those  of- 
fices, the  income  of  which  may  serve  to  assist 
in  supporting  the  dignity  of  the  peerage,  and 
at  the  same  time  permit  the  possessor  to  lay  up 
a  provision  for  younger  children. 

The  Estate  of  Lord  Montrose  was  much  en- 
cumbered, and  its  produce  but  ill  adequate  to 
support  the  expences  attending  the  education 
of  three  sons  and  a  daughter. 

-  The  latter  was,  when  four  years  old,  placed 
in  a  convent  abroad  ;  and  Lord  Dudley,  and  his 
brothers  were,  at  a  proper  age,  established  in 
the  world  by  Mr.  Frederic  Percy,  brother  to 
Lord  Montrose,  who  having  early  in  life  chang- 
B 


6  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

ed  his   religion,  possessed   high  rank  in   the 
army. 

On  his  proposing  to  undertake  the  care  of  his 
nephew's  fortunes,  he  insisted  on  their  abjuring 
the  Catholic  faith,  and  becoming  members  of 
the  Church  of  England. 

The  Earl  at  first  objected  ;  but  in  the  heart 
of  a  proud  man  religion  is  generally  a  secondary 
object  to  the  gratification  of  ambition  ;  and  with 
young  men  is  seldom  a  matter  of  any  considera- 
tion ;  so  that  the  Percys  and  Lord  Dudley  rea- 
dily yielded  to  their  beloved  uncle's  wishes. 

The  Earl  saw  the  Eldest  and  the  youngest  by 
this  step,  exalted  to  high  military  rank,  as  the 
third  was  to  naval  honors  ;  and  he  cared  little 
by  what  means. 

The  Countess  was  no  bigot  ;  and,  while  she 
knew  her  sons  to  be  virtuous  and  noble,  she 
thought  their  religion  might  as  well  be  the  Pro- 
testant as  the  Catholic. 

When  Mr.  Henry  Percy  was  about  eighteen, 
he  received  orders  to  join  his  regiment  in  the 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  P 

West  Indies  ;  and  he  had  scarcely  been  there 
a  month  when  he  died  of  a  fiver  incident  to  the 
climate.  This  was  a  most  crutl  blow  to  the 
Countess,  (who  almost  adored  her  youngest  son) 
and  one  that  she  never  recovered  ;  though  suc- 
ceeding sufferings  of  a  nature  more  afflictive, 
permitted  her  not  to  indulge  in  uninterrupted 
sorrow. 

About  six  months  after  the  death  of  Mr. 
Henry  Percy-,  his  brother,  Captain  Percy,  was 
killed  in  an  engagement,  on  board  the  frigate 
of  which  he  had  the  command.  As  he  was  a 
young  man  of  the  most  promising  disposition, 
his  friends  severely  lamented  his  loss  ;  but  still 
there  was  some  consolation  to  be  found  in  the 
consideration  that  he  had  fallen  in  the  perfor- 
mance of  his  duty,  and  universally  lamented  as 
an  excellent  and  gallant  officer. 

There  now  only  remained  to  the  Earl  and 
Countess  of  Montrose,  their  daughter  and  Lord 
Dudley.  Almost  heart-broken  by  the  loss  of 
their  two  youngest  sons,  they  could  not  endure 
the  thoughts  of  his  Lordship  still  continuing  in 
these  rvice,  and  he  reluctantly  consented  to  aban- 
don his  profession. 


«  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

The  regiment  in  which  he  had  served  hap- 
pened soon  afterwards  to  be  ordered  abroad, 
and  his  parents  congratulated  themselves,  that 
their  beloved  Augustus  would  not  be  exposed  to 
that  pestilential  climate,  which  had  been  so  fatal 
to  his  brother.  But  they  little  thought  they 
were  so  soon  to  lose  him,  on  account  of  the 
very  circumstance  which  now  afforded  them  so 
much  pleasure. 

A  few  days  before  the  embarkation  of  the 
tioops,  Lord  Dudley  happened  to  meet  Captain 
Douglass,  in  the  St.  James's  coffee  house,  and 
after  some  conversation  had  passed  relative  to 
the  armament  then  going  cut  to  the  West  In- 
dies, the  latter  said,  jestingly, 

"  Faith,  Dudley,  I  think  you  were  a  very 
lucky  fellow  to  sell  out,  so  opportunely  as  you 
did." 

His  Lordship,  who  possessed  as  much  cou- 
rage as  most  men,  but  accompanied  with  a  very 
hasty  temper,  demanded  what  the  Captain 
meant  by'  this  observation. 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  9 

"  Simply  what  I  say,"  replied  Douglass  ;  who 
being  naturally  giddy,  and  himself  one  of  the 
best-tempered  young  men  in  the  world,  did  not 
conceive  that  Dudley  was  offended  at  his  re- 
mark. 

"  Then,  Sir,  I  suppose  you  mean  to  insult 
me?" 

His  Lordship  pronounced   these  words  with 
an  air  of  such  angry  haughtiness,  that  Douglass 
(who  thought  the  affair  too  trifling  to  give  birth 
to  any  serious  consequences)  yielded  to  an  im- 
prudent risibility,  and  Ld.  Dudley  left  the  room- 
When  Captain  Douglass  returned  to  his  lodg- 
ing, he  found  there  a  note  from  Lord  Dudley, 
containing  a  challenge.     Though  he  had  never 
entertained  the  slightest  intention  of  giving  him 
offence  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  had  a  high  esteem 
for  his  character ;  he  was  too  much  a  modern 
man  of  honor,  to    decline  such  an  invitation  ; 
and  Lord  Dudley  fell  a  victim  to  a  piece  of  ill- 
timed  pleasantry,  distorted  into  an  insult. 

On  this  melancholy  event  Lady  Louisa  Percy 
was  recalled  from  her  convent,  that  she  might 


10  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

endeavour  to  alleviate  the  sorrows  oF  her  pa- 
rents.    She  was  now    in   the  tender  bloom  of 
sixteen,  and.  from  the  gloomy  tenor  of  her  past 
life,  in  the  seclusion  of  a  cloister,  she  had  con- 
tracted a  seduieness  of  manner,  unusual  at  her 
age,  and  which  gave  greater  expression  to  her 
beauty.     She  was  rather   tall,  and    extremely 
sljght,  though  without  any  appearance  of  lan- 
guid delicacy  :  whenever  she  moved,  but  parti- 
cularly  when  she  danced,  her  form    conveyed 
an  idea  of  the  dancing  nymphs  of  the  antique  ; 
but  when  her  face  had  been  once  seen,  her  figure 
(perfect  as  it  was)  ceased  to  be  an  object  of  con- 
sideration.    She   had   those    rare    black   eyes, 
which  are  at  once  brilliant  and  mild,  and  when 
they  were  fixed  on  those  of  a   person  she   lov- 
ed,    it    was    impossible     to    conceive    greater 
sweetness  of  expression  than   they  displayed. 
Her  hair  was  just  light  enough  to  form  a  con- 
trast to  the  shining  jet  of  her  eyebrows  and  eye- 
lashes :  her  nose  was  Grecian  ;  and  her  mouth 
appeared   beautiful    before  the  sweet  tones  of 
her  voice,  in  speaking,  made  one  forget  whe- 
ther she  was   handsome.     She    was    fair,  and 
with  scarcely  the  slightest  tinge  of  red  in  her 
chetks,    except   when   exercise,  or  animation 
dytd  thtm  with  the  most  brilliant  carnation. 


THE  ENGLISH  NUM.  1! 

Such  was  Louisa  Percy ;  who  soon  became 
the  successful  consoler  of  her  unhappy  mother. 
The  Countess  ceased  to  lament  her  sons  ;  but 
it  was  evident,  fiom  the  dejected  air  her  coun- 
tenance ever  after  wore,  that  she  continued  to 
think  of  them  with  deep  regret. 

As  the  Earl  of  Montrose  had  it  not  in  his 
power  to  lay  up  any  fortune  for  his  daughter, 
he  determined,  if  possible,  to  marry  her  during 
his  life  ;  and  he  had  little  doubt  but  what  her 
birth,  beauty,  and  accomplishments,  would 
soon  procure  her  an  eligible  establishment. 
With  this  view  she  was  exhibited  at  every  pub- 
lic meeting  in  the  neighbourhood  till  she  had 
compleated  her  seventeenth  year,  but  without 
having  any  proposal  made  for  her  ;  and  her  pa- 
rents then  took  her  to  London,  literally  to  be 
disposed  of.  However  repugnant  this  proceed- 
ing was  to  the  delicacy  of  Louisa,  she  was  ob- 
liged to  submit,  with  patience,  to  the  mortifi- 
cation of  being  set  up  to  sale. 

Soon  after  the  Montrose  family  arrived  in 
London,  the  Honourable  Mrs.  Willoughby  and 
her  daughter  Came  to  visit  them.  Miss  Wil- 
loughby was  a  pretty  girl  of  nineteen,  very  fa- 


72  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

shionable,  very  vain,  and  as  giddy  and  ignorant 
as  those  Misses  usually  are,  who  are  brought 
from  the  restraint  of  a  boarding-school,  and  im- 
mediately ushered  into  all  the  dissipation  of  a 
town  life  ;  and  seemed  to  wish  to  have  it  be- 
lieved, that  a  young  gentleman  who  accompa- 
nied them  in  this  visit,  was  humbly  devoted  to 
her. 

This  gentleman,  Lord  Edward  Lumley,  was 
the  third  son  of  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  and  about 
the  age  of  twenty-two,  exceedingly  elegant  in 
his  figure,  and  with  manners  the  most  insinu- 
ating and  pleasing.  He  was  a  soldier,  and  con- 
sequently not  defidient  in  gallantry,  which  he 
exerted  in  his  conversation  with  Miss  Willough- 
by,  in  a  manner  that  proved  him  in  no  danger 
of  becoming  her  captive. 

During  the  visit,  Miss  Willoughby  talked  and 
laughed  a  great  deal ;  but  though  both  her  chat 
and  her  gayety  appeared  to  be  particularly  di- 
rected to  Lord  Edward,  he  spoke  but  little  ; 
and  though,  in  compliment  to  the  humour  of 
the  ladv>  he  was  obliged  sometimes  to  smile, 
and  to  reply  to  her  silly  remarks,  it  was  very 
evident  that  his  attention  was  entirely  engrossed 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  13 

by  Louisa.  Mrs.  Willoughby  having  taken  no- 
tice of  a  very  beautiful  lap-dog,  belonging  to 
Lady  Montrose,  Miss  Willoughby  left  her  seat 
to  admire  and  fondle  it,  and  while  she  was  do- 
ing so,  Lord  Edward  found  time  to  address 
Louisa. 

<:  Is  that  little  animal  a  favourite  of  yours  ?" 
inquired  he. 

"  Only  as  it  is  my  mother's,"  she  replied  ; 
**  I  am  not  fond  of  lap  dogs." 

"  Nor  of  monkeys  ?"— "  No.'* 

"  Nor  of  parrots  ?" 

"  My  Lord,  is  not  this  an  adorable  creature  r" 
cried  Miss  Willoughby. 

Lord  Edward  gave  it  a  slight  glance,  saying, 
"  Very  pretty,  upon  my  word,"  and  immedi- 
ately turning  to  Louisa  said,  "  What  then  are 
you  fond  of?" 

"  Of  my  friends/'  she  replied  with  animation. 

At   the  moment  Lord  Edward  would  have 
C 


14  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

given  the  world  to  have  been  one  of  the  num- 
ber :  for  there  was  a  lively  sensibily  in  the 
countenance  of  Louisa,  that  convinced  him  she 
had  a  soul.  In  a  few  minutes  the  party  took 
leave,  and  a,s  they  proceeded  to  Portland-Place, 
where  Lord  Edward  was  to  dine  with  the  ladies. 
Miss  Willoughby  said. 

"  Well,  my  Lord,  now  that  you  have  seen 
this  Caledonian  belle,  what  do  you  think  of 
her  ?" 

"  I  have  seen  so  little  of  her,  that  I  positive- 
ly cannot  inform  you,"  replied  he. 

"  Really  !  Why  I  thought  you  seemed  to 
take  very  particular  notice  of  her  while  we 
staid,  and  you  must  have  very  little  observation, 
if,  after  looking  at  her  so  long,  you  cannot  tell 
whether  she  pleases  you.  But  come,  my  Lord, 
this  is  all  affectation,  and  I  must  know  how 
you  like  Lady  Louisa." 

From  the  air  with  which  this  was  said,  Lord 
Edward,  though  by  no  means  vain,  could  not 
help  observing,  that  Miss  Willoughby  was 
piqued  by  the  attention  he  had  paid  Louisa ; 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  15 

yet  expected  that  he  would  now  pay  a  compli- 
ment to  herself.  lie  therefore  said,  with  affect- 
ed humility, 

"  Why,  dearest  Madam,  will  you  so  cruelly 
insist  on  my  saying  what  must  incur  either  your 
disapprobation  or  my  own  i" 

"  Your  own,  my  Lord?  I  should  thank  you 
to  tell  me  how  ?" 

°  How  ?  By  departing  from  candour  and 
truth." 

"  It  should  seem,  then,  that  you  must  offend 
both,  by  pleasing  me  in  your  answer  ?  I  thank 
your  Lordship.  Woman,  it  is  said,  cannot 
bear  to  hear  the  praises  of  each  other." 

"  I,"  said  Lord  Edward,  laughing,  "  should 
not  have  ventured  to  make  so  bold  an  observa- 
tion. But  you  should  remember,  Miss  Wil- 
loughby,  the  censure  has  been  cast  on  beauti- 
ful women  only." 

"  I  should  be  glad  to  know,"  cried  the  young 
lady,  with  an  air  of  vivacity >  which,  however,  did 


15  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

not  conceal  that  she  was  far  from  being'  pleased, 
w  whether  you  mean  that  qualifying  speech  as 
a  compliment  to  my  person  or  my  candour  ?" 

«  Which  you  please,  Madam.  Far  be  it  from 
me  to  decide,  lest  I  should  inadvertantly  offend 
that  on  which  you  set  most  value.  But  I  should 
think  the  language  of  compliment  was  suffici- 
ently familiar  to  you,  for  you  to  understand  it." 

"  Its  sincerity," — added  Mrs.  Willoughby  j 
who  observed  a  sort  of  archness  lurking  in  the 
countenance  of  Lord  Edward  ;  and  who,  though 
she  had  not  resolution  enough  to  dehar  her 
daughter  from  that  style  of  company  that  ren- 
dered her  so  vain  and  trifling,  yet  did  not  ap- 
prove of  her  being  so,  and  wished  to  check  her 
in  the  indulgence  of  her  levity. 

"  Your  Lordship,"  said  Miss  Willoughhy, 
with  returning  good  humour,  «  is  much  too  in- 
comprehensible for  me  ;  but  let  me  seriously 
understand  whether  you  think  Lady  Louisa 
handsome  ?" 

«  Certainly*     At  least  I  believe  so." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  17 

"  You  believe  !  Bless  me,  what  an  expres- 
sion !" 

"  It  is  a  very  proper  one,  Madam,  for  I  re- 
ally do  not  know  whether  her  features  are  re- 
gularly beautiful  ;  the  contour  of  her  face 
pleased  me  ;  but  my  chief  attention  was  be- 
stowed on  the  expression  of  her  countenance." 

"  Which  eloquently  spoke  the  feelings  of  her 
pure  and  enlightened  soul  i  Eh,  my  Lord," 
said  Miss  Willoughby,  sarcastically  smiling. 

"  I  might  r.ow  compliment  you  on  your  pe- 
netration, Madam,"  said  Lord  Edward. 

"  And  with  as  little  sincerity  as  usual,  my 
Lord." 

"  Oh,  no  !"  returned  he,  "  It  would  be  most 
seriously  ;  for  you  have  said  precisely  what  I 
think  of  her  Ladyship." 

Perhaps  Miss  Willoughby  would  have  been 
full  as  well  pleased  if  his  Lordship  had  not 
given  quite  so  much  credit  to  her  discernment ; 
for,  biting  her  lips,  she  resumed, 


13  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  But,  my  Lord,  your  admiration  of  Lady 
Louisa  may  cease,  for  she  is  that  most  shock- 
ing of  all  creatures — a  titled  beggar." 

Lord  Edward  was  displeased  at  the  pointed 
manner  in  which  the  last  words  was  pronounced, 
as  they  seemed  in  some  degree  to  refer  to  him- 
self, as  well  as  to  Louisa  ;  and  he  said  gravely, 

cl  Upon  my  word,  Madam,  your  information 
does  not  concern  me  in  the  least.  I  can  ad- 
mire a  beautiful  woman,  without  forming  any 
design  on  her  heart,  or  person  ;  and  esteem  an 
amiable  one,  without  considering  what  her  for- 
tune may  be,  or  whether  she  is  inclined  to  be- 
stow it  on  me." 

In  the  mean  time  Lady  Louisa  was  replying 
to  similar  inquiries  with  those  of  the  fair  Hen- 
rietta Willoughby.  As  soon  as  their  visitors 
were  gone,  the  Countess  asked  her  daughter 
what  she  thought  of  their  young  acquaintance  ? 

"  That  she  is  extremely  pretty,  and  would  be 
much  more  so — Pray,  Mamma,  do  you  not  think 
she  looks  out  too  much  for  admiration  ?" 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  19 

"  Pshaw  I"  returned  the  Countess,  Ct  I  do 
not  mean  Miss  Willoughby,  who  is,  I  think, 
the  most  unsufferable  girl  I  ever  saw.  I  mean 
Lord  Edward." 

"  Why  I  am  half  in  love  with  him  1" 

"  Really  !" 

"  Oh  !  yes,  he  is  undoubtedly  very  amiable." 

"  Not  amiable,  my  dear  Louisa.  Of  his 
mental  qualities  you  can,  as  yet,  be  no  judge. 
Agreeable  would  be  a  better  term." 

"  I  believe  so,"  Lady  Louisa  resumed  ; 
11  Well  then,  he  is  very  agreeable,  and  very 
handsome,  and  I  do  not  think  him  deficient  in 
having  a  good  opinion  of  himself;  and  then  his 
conversation  is  so  whimsical,  as  if  he  was  ridi- 
culing one." 

"  Lord  Edward  is  a  very  gay  young  man," 
said  Lady  Montrose,  "  and  seems,  like  most 
others,  to  talk  entirely  at  random." 

"  When  he  comes  here  again,"  said  Louisa? 


20  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  he  shall  positively  find  some  one  else  to  con- 
verse with." 

"  Did  his  Lordship  mention  any  intention  of 
coming  again  ?"  inquired  Lady  Montrose. 

''  Not  positively,  Mamma  ;  but  he  said  some- 
thing of  being  your  cousin  ;  I  think." 

"  I  hope,"  rejoined  the  Countess,  "  that  he 
may  repeat  his  visit.  The  Duke  of  Beaufort's 
grandmother  and  mine  were  sisters.  But  the 
families  have  long  been  disunited!  owing,  as  I 
believe,  to  my  great  aunt  marrying  a  Protes- 
tant, though  a  Duke." 

Nothing  farther  was,  at  that  time,  said  on 
the  subject ;  and  the  following  morning  Lord 
Edward  Lumiey  called.  He  was  admitted  to 
Lady  Montrose's  dressing-room,  where  she 
was  sitting  alone.  She  arose  at  his  entrance, 
saying, 

"  To  what  cause  am  I  to  attribute  the  unex- 
pected-honour of  this  visit." 

"  To  my  desire,"  he  replied,  bowing,    l(  of 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  21 

claiming  a  relationship,  which  I  fear  I  may  find 
you  unwilling  to  acknowledge." 

"  Pardon  me,  my  Lord,"  returned  the  Coun- 
tess, with  the  utmost  sweetness  and  benevo- 
lence in  her  manner,  "  I  shall  ever  feel  proud 
to  acknowledge  Lord  Edward  Lumley  as  my 
kinsman,  and  happy  to  be  entitled  to  consider 
him  as  a  friend." 

"  Ah !  Madam,  such  flattering  language  ac- 
cords not  with  the  friendly  freedom  of  a  rela- 
tion," said  Lord  Edward. 

At  that  moment  the  door  opened,  and  Lady 
Louisa  entered  the  room. 

"  Come,  Louisa,"  cried  her  mother,  "  and 
receive  your  cousin." 

Louisa  blushed  the  deepest  scarlet,  as  Lord 
Edward,  taking  her  hand,  and  kissing  it,  said, 
M  As  Lady  Montrose's  kindness  has  led  her  to 
admit  my  claims  on  her  family,  as  a  friend  and 
relative,  may  I  not  hope  that  the  amiable  Lady 
Louisa  will  not  deny  me  the  honor  of  being  es- 
teemed hers  also." 

D 


22  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  Certainly,  my  Lord,"  returned  Louisa, 
blushing  more  deeply  than  before  ;  while  Lum- 
ley  led  her  to  a  seat,  and  placed  himself  in  one 
between  her  and  the  Countess.— The  sight  of 
the  piano  forte  produced  a  question  from  his 
Lordship,  if  Lady  Louisa  played  ;  and  being 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  requested  the 
favour  of  hearing  her. 

While  she  was  putting  the  instrument  in  or- 
der, his  Lordship  was  looking  over  her  music. 

"  You  will  find  nothing  but  songs,"  said 
Louisa,  "  for  I  play  very  little  else." 

"  Then  I  conclude  you  also  sing  them." 

"  I  used  to  do  so  ;  but  the  principle  part  of 
my  music  consists  of  duets,  and  I  have  now  no 
person  to  sing  them  with  me ;"  returned  Louisa.. 

"  Unless  you  will  permit  me  to  do  so;"  said 
Lord  Edward,  smiling,  as  he  opened  the  book, 
and  put,  "  If  I  love,"  on  the  desk  before  Louisa, 
who  was  by  this  time  seated  at  the  piano  forte. 

His  Lordship's  voice  was  a  fine  tenor,  and  he 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  23 

sung  both  with  taste  and  judgment ;  proving 
that  he  was  acquainted  with  music  as  a  science. 
In  the  course  of"  conversation,  he  acknowledg- 
ed that  he  played  the  violoncello  ;  an  instru- 
ment on  which  Lord  Montrose  had  once  poss- 
essed great  skill  ;  and  Lady  Montrose  invited 
him  to  be  frequent  in  his  visits,  alledging  that 
it  would  be  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  her 
daughter. 

His  Lordship  thanked  her  for  her  kindness, 
and  readily  promised  (what  he  did  not  fail  to 
perform)  to  call  on  them  often  ;  particularly  in 
an  evening,  when  alone,  Lord  Montrose  could 
enjoy  the  pleasure  of  his  company. 

Lady  Louisa  was  not  long  without  lovers  : 
but  the  Marquis  of  Halifax  and  Mr.  Montague 
seemed  more  in  earnest  than  any  other  of  her 
numerous  admirers. 

The  Marquis,  who  was  a  Roman  Catholic, 
was  a  sensible  genteel  man,  about  thirty  ;  of  a 
grave  turn  of  mind,  and  a  benevolent  temper. 
He  appeared  passionately  in  leve  with  Louisaj 
but  was  kept  at  a  distance  by  the  almost  perse- 
cuting-attentions  of  his  rival. 


24  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Mr.  Montague  was  a  Captain  in  the  Guards> 
and  had  (a  few  months  before  he  made  his  ad- 
dresses to  Louisa)  by  coming  of  age,  entered 
into  possession  of  a  large  family  estate.  His 
person  had  more  of  fashion  than  of  grace  or 
dignity  in  it  ;  and  though  his  face  was  perfectly 
handsome,  it  was  entirely  uninteresting.  For 
his  mental  qualifications,  they  were  not  very 
remarkable  :  He  neither  wanted  good  sense  or 
goon  nature,  though  his  vanity  often  made 
him  appear  deficient  in  the  first  as  his  haugh- 
tiness did  in  the  last. 

The  idol  of  a  fend  and  weak  mother,  from  his 
earliest  years,  he  had  been  accustomed  to  con- 
sider himself  as  inferior  to  none  :  but  when  he 
met  with  those  whom  he  looked  on  as  his  equals 
(which  were  few)  or  chose  to  render  himself 
agreeable,  he  was  polite,  and  even  attentive  in 
his  manners.  He  had  an  air  of  assurance, 
mingled  with  inconceivable  nonchaler.ee  ;  and, 
when  he  would  so  far  exert  himself,  he  was  im- 
perious and  fierce  in  the  extreme.  With  such 
a  character,  Mr.  Montague  was  not  a  man 
likely  to  make  any  impression  on  the  heart  of 
the  gentle  and  unassuming  Louisa.  Confident 
of  success  however,  he  demanded,  rather  than 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  25 

petitioned,  for  her  hand,  but  was  positively  re- 
jected. 

The  Earl,  though  he  would,  in  consideration 
of  the  young  man's  large  fortune,  have  consent- 
ed to, the  union,  did  not  chuse  to  restrain  his 
daughter's  inclinations  in  favour  of  a  Protestant. 
Mr.  Montague,  was  at  least  as  much  surprised 
as  displeased,  by  this  abrupt  dismission,  which 
he  attributed  to  the  more  favored  pretensions 
of  the  Marquis  of  Hallifax. 

Though  Mr.  Montague  was  really  attached 
to  Lady  Louisa,  his  disappointed  love  would  not 
have  led  him  to  shew  any  resentment  towards 
the  person,  who,  he  imagined  had  occasioned 
his  mortification  ;  but  his  irritated  pride  for 
once  overcame  his  careless  indifference,  and  he 
dispatched  the  following  billet  to  the  Marquis. 

«  MY  LORD, 
&  I  have  been  rejected  by  Lady  Louisa  Percy, 
and  I  attribute  my  disappointment  to  you.  I 
shall  therefore  expect,  that  ycu  will  meet  me 
at  whatever  time  and  place  you  may  appoint,  in 
order  to  settle  our  pretensions. 

»  H.  MONTAGUE." 


26  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

The  Marquis  was  exceedingly  amused  by  the 
perusal  of  this  morceau,  which  could  excite 
only  his  contempt  and  ridicule.  He  had  too 
much  sense  to  engage  in  so  foolish  an  affair, 
farther  than  expostulating  with  this  hot-headed 
and  vain  young  man,  (for  whose  family  he  had 
a  high  regard)  and  accordingly  returned  the 
following  very  laconic  answer  to  his  note. 

"  I  am  not  to  blame  that  you  have  been  un- 
successful. However,  if  you  think  so,  join  me 
at  my  house  in  Pall-Mali,  at  nine  to-morrow 
morning  and  I  will  satisfy  you. 

«  HALLIFAX." 

At  the  appointed  hour  Mr.  Montague  arrived, 
and  was  desired  to  walk  up  stairs  to  the  drawing- 
room,  where  the  Marquis  expected  him.  His 
Lordship  arose  at  his  entrance,  saying,  ''  I  am 
happy  to  have  the  honor  of  seeing  Mr.  Monta- 
gue in  this  house." 

"  I  should  be  happy  in  entering  it,  my  Lord," 
returned  Montague,  "  had  you  not  subverted 
me  in  the  fondest  wish  of  my  heart.  But  where- 
fore do  we  loiter  ?  You  have  promised  me  sa- 
tisfaction." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  27 

.*"  I  have  Mr.  Montague,  and  I  will  perform 
my  promise  ;  but  it  shall  be  neither  with  the 
pistol,  nor  with  the  sword." 

°  How  then,  my  Lord  ?"  interrupted  he. 

"  By  assuring  you,"  said  the  Marquis,  calm- 
ly, "  that  I  have  not  been  the  cause  of  your 
disappointment.  I  love  Lady  Louisa,  it  is  true  ; 
but  have  never  told  her  so,  because  I  would  not 
even  seem  to  impede  your  success." 

Mr.  Montague  appeared  boiling  with  indigna- 
tion ;  and  the  Marquis  losing  all  his  solemnity) 
which  he  had  with  difficulty  assumed,  exclaim- 
ed, "  S'death,  Sir,  cannot  a  woman,  think,  you, 
do  a  sensible  thing  without  bsing  instructed  by 
one  of  us  I" 

"  Your  Lordship  means  to  insult  me  J  but  I 
insist  on " 

"  Softly,  my  dear  Montague,"  interrupted 
the  Marquis,  mildly,  "  wait  till  I  have  made 
my  proposals  to  the  Lady  ;  if  she  rejects  me,  I 
shall  just  be  in  a  humour  to  receive  your  fire. 
And  if  I  succeed!     If  Lady  Louisa  deigns  to 


2S  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

smile  upon  my  suit,  I  will  not,  I  am  determine 
ed,  risk  a  life,  in  which  she  is  interested." 

The  share  of  understanding  that  Mr.  Mon- 
tague really  possessed,  enabled  him  to  see  the 
justice  of  what  the  Marquis  had  said,  and  his 
own  folly.  Restored  to  reason,  he  relapsed  in- 
to his  former  apathy  and  nonchalence  ;  and  the 
Marquis,  as  he  had  proposed  doing,  offered 
himself  to  the  acceptance  of  the  fair  Louisa. 
Lord  Montrose,  at  his  request  undertook  to 
plead  his  case  ;  and  accordingly  one  morning, 
while  Lady  Louisa  and  her  mother  were  both 
at  work,  in  the  dressing-room  of  the  latter,  he 
asked  the  former,  what  she  thought  of  the  Mar- 
quis of  Hallifax  ?     To  which  she  replied, 

"  He  is  perfectly  amiable  and  accomplished.'* 

"  But  his  personal  merits,  Louisa?"  said  the 
Earl. 

She  answered  gaily,  in  the  words  of  ParneU 

fl  And  if  a  shape  could  win  a  heart, 
u  He  has  a  shape  to  win." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  29 

There  was  a  smiling  archness  in  her  eyes  as 
she  repeated  these  lines,  that  shewed  at  once 
her  indifference,  and  her  determination  not  to 
be  serious  on  the  subject. 

"  Precisely  his  opinion  of  you,"  returned  the 
Earl. 

"  Then  it  seems  there  is  a  sympathy  between 
us,"  said  Louisa  smiling. 

"  A  sympathy,"  resumed  her  father,  "  that 
will,  I  think,  render  you  happy  in  marriage." 

"  Marriage  !  Papa  !  Marriage  ! — And  pray 
what  put  marriage  into  my  dear  Papa's  head  ?" 
cried    Louisa,  giddily  patting   his  head  as  she 

spoke. 

The  Earl  was  half  angry,  as  he  rejoined, 
"  Be  serious,  if  possible,  Louisa  !  the  Marquis 

did—." 

"  But  suppose,  Papa,  I  have  no  mind  to  be 
serious  any  more  than  I  have  to — marry  the 
Marquis  ?" 

E 


50  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  You  allow  him  handsome,  amiable,  and  ac- 
complished." 

"  Aye,  indeed,"  replied  Louisa,  hesitatingly 
as  if  in  doubt. 

"  And  you  confess  you  admire  him  ?" 

,{  Well,  my  Lord,  if  I  do,  you  know  it  is  on- 
ly discharging  my  obligation  to  him  ;  and  my 
heart  is  still  free." 

There  was  a  playful  sweetness  and  innocent 
archness  in  her  manner,  during  the  whole  of 
this  conversation,  with  which  Lord  Montrose 
could  not  be  seriously  angry  ;  but  assuming  a 
stern  air,  he  said,  "  I  am  by  no  means  certain 
that  it  is.  And  now  I  desire  that  you  may  have 
done  with  this  flippancy.  The  Marquis  of  Hal- 
ifax loves  you  ;  he  is  not  a  man  to  be  trifled 
with,  or  lightly  rejected,  like  Mr.  Montague. 
He  is  too  generous  to  bestow  a  thought  on  for- 
tune ;  but  will  at  once  raise  you  to  rank,  afflu- 
ence and  splendor  i  Now  answer  as  you  ought." 

Louisa's  countenance  immediately  assumed 
a  serious  cast:    She  came,  and  taking  her  fa- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  21 

ther's  hand,  replied  with  respectful  but  solemn 
energy.  V  What  your  definition  of  ought  may 
be,  I  can  easily  conceive.  But  I  will  answer 
you,  my  dear  Sir,  to  the  utmost  of  my  ability, 
as  is  proper  for  me  to  do.  I  have  insuperable 
objections  to  the  Marquis  ;  who  deserves  a  bet- 
ter wife  than  I  could  make  him.  I  cannot  love 
him,  as  in  that  situation  I  ought  ;  and  must 
therefore  decline  the  honor  of  his  alliance.  If 
he  wishes  to  hear  my  reasons  from  myself,  (so 
much  do  I  esteem  him)  I  will  give  up  the  pri- 
vilege of  my  sex,  and  satisfy  him  why  I  never 
can  be  his." 

When  Louisa  had  concluded,  she  kissed  her 
father's  hand,  and  left  the  room. 

For  some  time  the  Earl  was  silent ;  but  at 
last  said,  "  Where  can  this  girl  have  learned 
such  fascinating  persuasive  eloquence  !  Upon 
my  soul  I  cannot  resist  it,  and  must  give  up 
the  fondest  wish  of  my  heart  to  gratify  her  ca- 
price. Such  it  must  be;  for  I  cannot  conceive 
any  reasonable  objection  she  can  have  to  the 
Marquis;  yet,  she  says,  she  will  herself  inform 
him  why  she  never  can  be  his.  Her  affections 
certainly  are  not  engaged  !  Tell  me,  Julia,  do 
you  think  they  are  ?" 


32  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  Lord  Edward  Lumley,"  the  Countess  be- 
gan.— He  repeated,  with  a  sarcastic  smile, 
"  Lord  Edward  Lumley  ! — An  avowed  heretic  ! 
—No,  no. — Her  piety  is  sufficient  security  a- 
gainst  that.  If  Lumley  is  the  only  person  of 
whom  you  have  any  suspicions,  you  may  set 
your  mind  at  rest.  My  daughter  will  never  give 
her  heart  to  a  heretic.  For,  by  heavens  !  if  she 
did,  she  should  be  a  beggared  outcast  from  my 
house,  as  well  as  affections."  Saying  this  he 
left  the  room. 

Lady  Montrose  was  far  from  being  a  bigot, 
in  any  sense  of  the  word  ;  and  though  many  of 
the  misfortunes  of  her  favorite  sister,  arose 
from  her  having  married  a  protectant,  she  was 
far  from  thinking  them  a  judgment  on  her  for 
so  doing. 

The  Countess  was  of  opinion,  that  amongst 
the  bigotted,  morose,  and  severe  of  either  reli- 
gion, such  a  junction  could  not  fail  of  producing 
misery  to  one,  or,  perhaps,  both  parties.  But 
where  both  possessed  good  sense,  good  temper, 
and  liberality  of  sentiment,  it  could  not  be  at- 
tended with  ill  consequences  to  either.  But 
had  Lady  Montrose  even  been  of  a  contrary  wajr 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  35 

of  thinking,  she  knew  too  much  of  the  human 
heart,  to  be  ignorant,  that  it  is  not  in  the  minds 
of  young  persons  that  religion  is  a  preventative 
of  love  ;  and  though  she  almost  dreaded  to  in- 
form her  Lord  of  it,  she  was  perfectly  satisfied 
that  the  frequent  visits  of  Lord  Edward  were 
occasioned  by  an  attachment,  she  had  no  doubt 
Louisa  returned.  As  yet,  however,  no  profes- 
sions had  been  made  ;  but  music  is  well  known 
to  be  a  universal  language  ;  and  that  of  the 
eyes  is  so  to.  Both  had  already  betrayed  to  the 
observing  glances  of  Lady  Montrose,  that  they 
loved.  The  choice  that  Lord  Edward  (who  al- 
ways selected  the  music  they  were  to  perform) 
made  of  those  airs  that  seemed  best  suited  to 
show  to  advantage  the  fine  voice  of  Louisa,  and 
his  manner  of  singing  them  with  her,  served  to 
convince  the  Countess  of  their  attachment.  But 
Lord  Montrose  was  still  (as  it  appeared)  wilful- 
ly blind.  Lord  Edward  was  the  first  protestant 
for  whom  he  had  ever  professed  a  friendship  ; 
and, him  he  seemed  really  to  love. 

One  evening,  when  they  had  been  conversing 
on  some  subject,  on  which  Lord  Edward's  opi- 
nions proved  such  as  particularly  pleased  him, 
he  exclaimed  warmly,  "  Good  God  !  Edward, 
why  are  you  not  a  Catholic  ?" 


34  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  Probably,"  he  answered,  smiling  at  the  ve- 
hemence of  the  Earl,  "  because  my  family  are 
all  protestants ;  and  I  happen  to  be  in  the 
army." 

"  Then,  my  dear  fellow,  since  you  attribute 
your  present  errors  to  local  circumstances,  you 
may,  without  hesitation,  renounce  them.  Lousa, 
try  to  convert  your  cousin  ;  and  if  you  succeed, 
you  will  be  the  two  btings  on  earth  most  clear 
to  me." 

"  Dear  Lady  Louisa,"  cried  Lumlcy,  c!  spare 
me,  I  entreat  you.  My  errors,  as  you  call 
them,  I  never  can  renounce  ;  and  never  put 
me  to  so  hard  a  trial,  as  to  withstand  so  sweet 
a  pleader." 

"  Courage,  Louisa."  exclaimed  the  Earl, 
your  power  once  acknowledged,  your  victory 
is  almost  complete." 

"  Well  then,  my  fair  antagonist,"  resumed 
Lumley,  perceiving  Louisa  about  to  speak, 
"  since  I  mnst  stand  your  eloquence,  let  me  at 
least  shew  you  the  obstacles  you  have  to  sur- 
mount, by  shewing  you  what  a  devotee  I  am. 
The  religion  of  a  soldier  is  that  of  love." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN".  35 

The  Countess,  who  had  been  alarmed- an  first 
at  this  conversation,  was  charmed  by  the  deli- 
cacy of  this  lively  turn  from  a  subject,  on  which 
it  was  impossible  their  Lordships  would  agree  ; 
while  the  young  man  went  on. 

"  Beauty  is  the  shrine  at  which  I  worship ! 
But  I  bow  not  before  a  senseless  image.  The 
divinity  I  adore  is  endowed  with  every  mental 
charm  that  can  adorn  a  goddess  ;  and  the  in- 
cense I  offer  on  her  altar  is  not  the  cold  tribute 
of  flattery  and  admiration  !  I  offer  to  her  ac- 
ceptance a  heart  warmly  sensible  of  her  virtues, 
and  actuated  by  a  love  as  pure  as  the  Deity  that 
inspires  it." 

"  Upon  my  soul,"  cried  the  Earl  laughing, 
11  your  mode  of  worhip  is  a  pretty  one.  Why, 
Ned,  thou  art  a  perfect  enthusiast  in  religion, 
in  thy  own  way  I  Well,  Louisa,  what  say  you 
to  this  ?" 

Lady  Louisa  had  betryed  evident  uneasiness 
during  the  whole  time  Lumley  had  been  speak- 
ing ;  and  now  appearing  resolved  to  know  the 
true  state  of  his  heart,  she  said,  with  apparent 
calmness,  «  That  the  divinity  of  Lord  Edward 


35  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Lumley's  worship  is  happy  in  so  fervent  a  vo- 
tary ;  and  it  only  remains  to  be  proved,  whe- 
ther she  is  worthy  of  his  partiality." 

"  To  doubt  her  merits,"  returned  Lumley, 
"  were  indeed  a  crime.     In  every  mental  and 
personal  charm  she  is  unequalled,  except  by 
.,    Lady  Louisa  herself." 

"  On  my  consciance,  Ned,"  said  Lord  Mon- 
trose, "  you  are  a  brave  man,  to  say  so  much 
before  my  daughter.  Do  you  forget,  that  no 
woman  can  bear  to  be  told,  that  she  is  not  su- 
perior to  the  whole  sex  ?" 

"  Lady  Louisa's  virtues,  my  Lord,  are  too 
similar  to  those  of  my  mistress,  for  me  to  have 
any  fears.  And  now,  sweet  my  coz,  plead  you 
the  cause  of  your  religion." 

"  To  attempt  to  warp  your  faith,  my  Lord, 
would,  I  doubt,  be  a  thankless  office  ;  and  my 
influence  is  not,  I  imagine,  of  consequence 
enough." 

As  she  was  speaking  Lady  Louisa  advanced 
to  the  piano,  and  struck  the  keys  in   such  a 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  37 

manner,  that  if  she  did  not  conclude  the  sen- 
tence, no  person  could  tell  how.  Lumley  fol- 
lowed her,  and  dropping  on  one  knee  beside 
her,  said  with  enthusiasm,  though  in  a  lovy 
voice,  "  Here,  since  you  forbid  not  my  worship, 
shall  my  homage  ever  be  paid  ;  and  never  can 
my  devotion  be  less  fervent,  than  at  present, 
when  my  adoration  is  declared." 

Had  Louisa  been  indifferent  to  her  lover,  this 
unexpected  declaration,  and  the  manner  of  it, 
would  have  rendered  her  confusion  extreme  ; 
but  the  idea  of  her  parents  having  seen  Lumley 
kneeling  to  her,  and  passionately  declaring  his 
sentiments,  was  almost  too  overcoming.  His 
words,  however,  had  been  heard  only  by  her- 
self, and  his  attitude  appeared  assumed,  merely 
to  look  for  the  music  book  that  he  now  took 
from  under  the  instrument,  and  placed  on  the 
desk  before  Louisa.  She  mecannically  sat 
down,  but  she  beheld  not  the  song  on  which 
her  eyes  were  fixed  ;  and  every  sense  was  ab- 
sorbed in  deep  reverie. 

"  Je  vous  adore  !"    said  Lumley,  in  a  low 
tone.     The  sound  of  his  voice  aroused  Louisa, 
and  she  suddenly  turned  towards  him.     Her 
F 


•3S  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

eyes  met  his,  and  the  sweet  smile  that  beamed 
on  her  ingenuous  countenance,  satisfied  her 
lover.  Certain,  from  his  own  feelings,  that  she 
would  not  have  power  to  sing,  he  pointed  out  a. 
favourite  lesson  to  her,  and  she  began  to  sing  it. 

By  the  time  it  was  concluded  she  had  regain- 
ed sufficient  composure  to  join  Lord  Edward,  in 
two  or  three  duets.  They  then  ceased.  Lady 
Louisa  left  not  the  instrument ;  and  Edward 
leaning  on  the  back  of  her  chair,  conversed 
with  her,  and  Lord  Montrose,  who  stood  beside 
him. 

Louisa  was  speaking,  and,  with  her  head 
thrown  back,  was  looking  up  in  his  face,  when 
Lord  Edward,  unable  to  resist  the  temptation, 
stooped  suddenly  and  kissed  her  forehead  be- 
fore she  was  aware.  Between  confusion  and 
displeasure,  she  coloured;  and  Lord  Edward 
tapping  her  cheek,  "  said,  "If  you  are  angry  I 
shall  repeat  the  offence." 

"  Louisa,"  cried  the  Earl,  "  you  have  no 
right,  for  you  fairly  challenged  him." 

"  It  was  unintentionally,  then,  my  Lord,  and 
consequently  deserved  no  punishment," 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  59 

"  Punishment   !"    he    repeated,    laughing, 
«  Oh  !  the  importance  of  those  girls  !    As  if  a 
•  kiss  was  worth  quarreling  for  !    Come,  come, 
make  peace  directly." 

Louisa  had  risen,  and  Lumley  raising  both 
her  hands,  repeated  the  liberty  he  had  taken, 
saying  gaily,  "  Thus  I  take  peace  and  pardon  !*» 
Louisa,  though  she  was  at  first  seriously  dis- 
please, now  smiled  ;  and  calling  him  «  Saucy 
encroacher!"  the  affair  was  at  an  end.  But 
Lady  Montrose  saw  its  progress,  with  an  un- 
easiness which  its  termination  encreased. 

The  Marquis  of  Hallifax  had  left  town  im- 
mediately after  he  had  laid  his  proposals  before 
Lord  Montrose  ;  and,  on  his  return,  waited  on 
Lady  Louisa,  to  receive  that  final  answer, 
which  her  father  told  him  she  was  ready  to  give. 
She  received  him,  (accompanied  only  by  her 
mother)  with  sweetness  ;  and  a  few  insipid  ques- 
tions having  been  asked,  and  answered,  she 
desired  permission  to  thank  his  Lordship  for 
the  honor  he  had  conferred  on  her.  "  An  ho- 
nour," she  added,  "  which  my  father  has  in- 
formed your  Lordship,  I  must  reject." 

"  He  has,  Madam,  but  I  had  hoped—." 


40  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

u  My  Lord,"  interrupted  the  lovely  Louisa, 
with  a  noble  candour,  "  I  am  above  the  mean 
vanity  of  trifling  with  a  heart  like  yours;  and 
your  generous  attachment  merits  something 
more  than  politeness,  from  the  -woman  you  so 
highly  distinguish.  Were  I  disposed  to  be  in- 
sincere, I  should  tell  you,  that  my  rejection 
of  your  hand  proceeded  from  my  unwillingness 
to  give  you  a  portionless  bride.  But,  my  Lord> 
I  have  no  such  motive  !  To  a  man  I  loved 
I  should  glory  to  owe  every  thing  !  I  es- 
teem you  as  a  friend,  and  might  perhaps  love 
you  as  a  brother  ;  but  I  feel  not  for  your  Lord- 
ship that  warmth  of  tenderness  you  deserve  to 
meet  with,  from  the  woman  whom  you  honor 
with  you  hand.  Bestow  it  on  some  person,  who 
•can  regard  you  as  she  ought  ,•  and  preserve  on- 
ly for  me  your  esteem  and  friendship,  which  I 
shall  endeavour  to  deserve,  and  repay  with  the 
grateful  affection  of  a  sister." 

"  Forgive  me,  Lady  Louisa,"  cried  the  Mar- 
quis, with  emotion,  "  forgive  me  for  having  dis- 
tressed your  ingenuous  nature  by  a  repetition 
of  what  pains  me  to  hear.  For  your  generous 
candour  you  must  consider  me  your  debtor  ; 
jmd  believe  that  you  have  not  in  the  world,  a 
•more  tender  and  devoted  friend  than  myself." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  41 

He  timidly  offered  to  take  her  hand,  which 
she  presented  to  him,  with  so  soft  and  sweet  a 
grace,  that  a  lover  more  confident,  or  less  con- 
versant with  the  human  heart,  would  have  de- 
rived some  hope  from  it.  But  the  Marquis  of 
Hallifax  received  the  white  hand  of  Louisa,  and 
the  smile  that  accompanied  it,  as  a  death  blow 
to  his  hopes. 

Lord  Montrose  now  entered  the  room,  and 
something  like  conversation  was  attempted. 
But  it  was  only  forced  ;  and  the  Marquis  soon 
took  his  leave. 

From  this  time  the  passion  Louisa  felt  for 
Edward  Lumley  became  every  day  more  dis- 
cernible. If  he  commended  any  particular  co- 
lour, or  stile  of  dress,  she  immediately  adopted 
it.  His  favourite  songs  she  was  incessantly 
singing,  and  if  he  happened  to  be  two  days  ab- 
sent, every  rap  at  the  door  drew  her  to  the  win- 
dow>  and  she  listened  anxiously  to  every  foot- 
step. 

He  was  fond  of  Spanish,  and  one  day  said, 
that  he  thought  the  study  of  that  language  and 
the  Portuguese,  was  a  source  of  the  highest  en- 


42  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

joyment ;  as  it  enabled  a  person  to  taste  all  the 
beauties  of  Camoens  and  Lope  de  Vega.  Lord 
Montrose  was  familiar  with  both  those  lan- 
guages, and  as  Louisa  had  in  her  Convent  be- 
gun to  learn  them,  she  now,  under  the  auspi- 
ciesof  her  father,  returned  to  the  study  of  them  ; 
and,  by  the  most  unwearied  assiduity,  she  was 
soon  enabled  to  enjoy  the  writings  of  Lumley's 
favourite  authors,  in  the  Spanish  and  Portu- 
guese. 

With  the  greatest  uneasiness  Lady  Montrose 
beheld  her  daughter's  partiality  gaining  every 
hour  new  force  ;  and,  at  last,  determined  to 
seem  no  longer  blind  to  it,  but  to  point  out  to 
Louisa,  the  consequences  of  indulging  it.  She 
therefore  took  the  opportunity  of  Ld.  Montrose's 
being  absent  for  a  few  days,  to  introduce  the 
subject,   and  then  added, 

"  That  Edward  Lumley  is  more  to  you  than 
a  friend  is  very  evident.  With  the  crudest  ap- 
prehension I  have  long  seen  your  attachment  : 
but  forebore  to  speak  of  it,  in  the  hope  that 
your  own  good  sense  would  instruct  you  how 
vain  it  must  be  to  encourage  a  prepossession 
in  favour  of  one,  so  totally  out  of  your  reach« 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  43 

Louisa :  I  know  the  doctrine  I  must  inculcate 
is  disagreeable  to  a  girl  in  love." 

At  the  word  love,  Louisa  shuddered.  We 
are  all  the  slaves  of  sounds  and  terms.  Louisa 
had  long  experienced  the  sweetest  emotions, 
from  the  idea,  that  she  was  beloved  by  Edward, 
and  returned  all  those  tender  sentiments  ;  yet 
at  the  expression,  "  girl  in  love,"  her  colour 
changed  repeatedly  ;  she  laid  down  her  work, 
and  leaning  her  head  on  her  hand,  sighed  deep- 
ly.    The  Countess  continued, 

"  You  must  conquer  this  weakness  :    What 
do  you  conceive  will  be  the  consequences  of  it  ? 
Can  you  imagine,  that  did  Lumley  even  wish  it, 
your  father  would  consent  to  your  marrying  a 
protestant,  a  heretic  !  one  destitute  of  fortune  I 
Think  for  a  moment,  my  beloved  child,  of  the 
misery  you  are  laying  up  for  yourself,  in  che- 
rishing  this   fatal  attachment.     Are  you  even 
certain  that  Lord  Edward  loves  you,  and  that, 
having  destroyed  your  peace,  he  may  not  de- 
spise the  weak  girl,  who  gave  her  heart  before 
she  was  certain  of  possessing  one  in  return. 
Pardon  me  that  I  probe  your  wound  so  deeply, 
my  task  is  painful  to  you;  but  it  is  not  less  so 
•to  myself,'^ 


*4  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Lady  Montrose  took  the  hand,  that  in  sup- 
porting, almost  concealed  the  beautiful  face  of 
her  daughter.  Louisa  raised  her  eyes,  filled  with 
tears,  and  said,  with  a  voice  of  anguish,  "  You 
have  indeed,  Madam,  wrung  a  heart,  which 
was  never  wilfully  guilty  of  offence  :  I  deserve 
it,  for  you  have  convinced  me,  that  I  love  Lord 
Edward!  But  my  affections  have  not  been 
thrown  away  on  an  unworthy  object :  for  I  could 
tear  his  image  with  indignation  from  my  heart, 
could  I  believe  him  capable  of  the  conduct  you 
describe." 

<l  Ah !  Louisa,"  said  Lady  Montrose,  shak- 
ing her  head,  "  I  am  more  than  ever  convinc- 
ed that  your  heart  is  lost  •  It  is  thus  that  every 
fond  girl  defends  the  treacherous  foe  that  would 
undo  her ;  and  attributes  virtues  to  her  lover  he 
never  boasted." 

Louisa  was  shocked  at  this  accusation. — "  I 
see  all  my  guilt,  Madam,"  cried  she,  weeping, 
"  I  have  deprived  you  of  that  noble  candour 
that  used  to  distinguish  you  !  In  tenderness  to 
your  erring  child,  you  load  the  unhappy  but 
honourable  Lumley  with  contumely.  Alas  ! 
he  is  but  too  amiable  1  But  forgive  me,  my  mo- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  45 

ther,  for  having  caused  those  tears  !  I  will  try 
to  remedy  my  imprudence  :  and  if  1  cannot  for- 
get, at  least  I  will  never  see  Lord  Edward  more." 

"  Louisa,  this  must  not  be,"  said  Lady  Mon- 
trose, interrupting  her.  "  The  world,  or  your 
father  least  of  all,  must  not  be  made  acquainted 
with  this  unfortunate  affair.  We  shall  soon  re- 
turn to  Scotland,  and  then  all  will  be  forgotten. 
But,  could  you  give  your  hand  to  Hallifax,  who 
adores  you — ?" 

"  Ask  not  more,  Madam,  than  human  na- 
ture can  grant.  You  must  not  urge  me  to  mar- 
ry a  man  I  cannot  love  ;  and  then,  I  am  cer- 
tain, I  shall  never  be  guilty  of  a  fault  in  favour 
of  one  I  do.  Even  you,  my  mother,  must  de- 
spise me,  were  I  to  plight  my  vows  to  the  ami- 
able Marquis  with  an  alienated  heart." 

Her  sobs  prevented  her  saying  any  more  ;  and 
at  that  moment  a  footman  brought  her  a  letter. 
The  hand  on  the  superscription  was,  she  thought 
well  known  to  her  :  distressed  as  she  was  she 
felt  a  sort  of  pleasure  in  beholding  it  ;  but,  un- 
able to  speak,  she  put  it  into  the  hand  of  her 
mother,  who  rejected,  it,  saying,  that  as  she 
G 


40  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

had  no  doubt  of  her  honor,  any  letter  to  her 
should  be  sacred.  A  faint  smile  brightened 
the  countenance  of  Louisa  ;  but  whether  it  a- 
rose  from  pleasure  in  the  confirmation  of  Lady 
Montrose's  good  opinion,  or  the  idea,  that  she 
should  not  be  deprived  of  her  letter,  she  could 
not  herself  define:  she  read,  however,  the  fol- 
lowing lines. 

"  Though  personally  a  stranger  to  Lady 
Louisa  Percy,  the  Duke  of  Beaufort  is  suffi- 
ciently acquainted  with  her  good  sense,  and  the 
generosity  of  her  disposition,  to  take  the  liber- 
ty (as  a  father)  of  requesting  half  an  hour's 
conversation  with  her,  at  whatever  time  she 
may  appoint.  That  it  may  be  soon,  is  perhaps 
of  consequence  to  the  peace  of  an  unhappy 
young  man." 

«  St.  James's-Square,  March  1." 

"  Well,  Mamma,"  cried  the  blushing  agitat- 
ed Louisa,  "  what  answer  must  I  return  ?  Ad- 
vise me,"  I  conjure  you." 

Lady  Montrose  felt  for  the  pain  she  was  about 
to  inflict  on  the  unapprehensive  mir.d  of  her 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  47 

daughter,  by  crushing  all  those  delusive  hopes 
which,  it  was  evident,  the  equivocal  stile  of  the 
Duke's  billet  had  inspired.  She  knew  his  Grace 
to  be  vain,  sordid,  and  imperious  ;  and  she 
trembled  for  the  scene  the  timid  Louisa  was  to 
'be  engaged  in.  But  she  determined  not,  by 
owning  the  full  extent  of  her  apprehensions,  to 
lessen  the  courage  of  the  fair  victim  she  was 
about  to  wound. 

"  Flatter  not  yourself,  my  love,"  said  she  ten- 
derly, "  with  hopes  that  the  Duke  of  Beaufort 
approves  the  engagement  the  heart  of  his  son 
has  formed.  To  me  the  contrary  is  very  evi- 
dent ;  and  it  will  be  so  to  you,  if  you  consider 
but  a  moment.  If  his  Grace  wishes  to  effect  a 
union  between  ye,  would  he,  do  you  imagine, 
apply  to  you  ?" 

"  Oh  !  Mamma !"  exclaimed  the  sweet  Louisa, 
bursting  into  tears,  and  concealing  her  face  in 
the  bosom  of  her  mother.  "  Oh  1  Mamma,  how 
unhappy  am  I,  to  have  caused  all  this  by  my 
imprudence !  But  do  not  ask  me  to  see  the 
Duke  !  Do  not  ask  me  to  admit  his  visit,  since 
I  am  unable  to  bear  his  reproaches.  From 
you,  and  from  my  father,  I  have  met  only  in- 


46  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

diligence,  and  how  shall  I  meet  the  justly  in- 
censed Duke  ?  He  will  think,  and  (perhaps 
will  call  me)  the  seducer  of  his  noble  son." 

In  an  agony  of  distress,  she  clung  to  her 
mother,  and  seemed  afraid  to  raise  her  face 
from  her  shoulder,  lest  she  should  behold  the 
angry  countenance  of  the  father  of  her  lover. 
The  Countess  embraced,  and  tried  to  convince 
her  of  the  propriety  of  her  granting  the  request 
of  the  Duke  ;  and  at  last  so  far  succeeded  as  to 
prevail  on  her  to  write  the  following  note. 

"  Whatever  conversation  the  Duke  of  Beau- 
fort may  wish  to  have,  with  Lady  Loui*a  Per- 
cy, she  will  have  the  honor  of  attending  to  at 
ten  to-morrow  morning,  if  convenient  to  his 
Grace." 

«  Albemarle-Street,  March  1." 

As  soon  as  she  had  dispatched  this  billet,  the 
unhappy  Louisa  retired  to  her  chamber.  She 
jaovr  saw,-  painted  in  the  most  vivid  colours,  the 
jnisery  of  the  destiny  that  awaited  her  ;  and 
which  she  had,  till  then,  hardly  dared  to  glance 
at.     She  saw  herself  divided  from  him,  who 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  49 

could  alone  sweeten  existence,  burthensome 
and  solitary  without  him.  She  beheld  her  mo- 
ther, bending  in  sorrow  to  the  grave,  which  the 
"hopeless  unhappiness  of  an  only  child,  had  ren- 
dered welcome  to  her,  condemning  while  she 
lamented  her.  This  picture  was  too  dreadful, 
and  she  again,  infancy,  returned  towards  Lum- 
ley.  She  witnessed  his  agonies  ;  she  saw  him 
mourning  the  cruel  fate  that  blasted  all  his 
hopes,  and  tore  him  from  the  woman  he  loved, 
and  she  thought  no  evil  could  be  greater  !  But 
fancy  presented  one,  yet  more  keenly  afflictive. 

She"  pourtrayed  the  amiable  Edward,  false  to 
his  first  attachment,  blest  in  the  possession  of 
some  more  fondly  adored  charmer  !  Or,  losing 
in  the  embraces  of  venal  beauty,  the  remem- 
brance of  his  Louisa,  and  the  pure  heart  she 
had  bestowed  on  his  youthful  virtues. 

Thoughts  like  these  occupied  her  the  whole 
dayr  and  haunted  her  on  her  pillow  ;  to  forbid 
that  repose  her  agitated  spirits  required,  to  ena- 
ble her  to  support  the  fearful  interview  that 
was  to  take  place  on  the  morrow,  she  endea- 
voured to  acquire  composure,  and,  in  part,  suc- 
ceeded. 


.SO  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"When  she  entered  the  room,  where  the  Duke 
(in  company  with  her  mother)  awaited  her,  and 
when,  with  the  most  insinuating  elegance  he 
paid  her  his  compliments,  his  likeness  in  figure 
and  voice  to  her  beloved  Edward  had  overcame 
her.  But  with  unaffected  grace  she  courtseyed 
and  suffered  him  to  lead  her  to  a  seat  near  La- 
dy Montrose,  who,  he  insisted  should  stay  to 
hear  what  he  should  say.  As  if  impatient  to 
perform  his  cruel  task,   he  directly  began. 

"  Till  I  saw  you,  Madam,  I  was  at  a  loss  to 
account  for  the  romantic  enthusiasm  of  my  son 
Edward,  in  regard  to  you.  His  praises  of  the 
accomplished  Lady  Louisa  Percy,  led  me  to 
think  highly  of  you  ;  but  since  I  have  seen  ycu 
I  have  found  that  I  formed  an  opinion  far  be- 
low your  merits.  You  are  not  I  suppose,  a 
stranger  to  my  son's  attachment  to  you  ?" 

"  My  Lord  Duke,"  said  Louisa,  with  a  firm- 
ness that  would  do  honor  to  a  heroine,  "  when 
I  acceded  to  your  desire  of  an  interview,  I  de- 
termined to  be  ingenuous.  I  am  acquainted 
with  the  partiality  with  which  Lord  Edward 
Lumley  honors  me." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN".  SI 

"  Comes  your  information  from  himself,  Ma- 
dam ?" 

«  From  any  other,  my  Lord,  I  should  not 
have  believed  the  tale,  however  flattering." 

"  May  I  ask,  Madam,  how  you  received  his 
professions  ?" 

"  As  those  of  a  man  whose  merit  made  them 
agreeable,  though  his  situation  and  mine  made 
them  imprudent.  Has  your  Grace  any  more 
questions  to  ask?" 

"  No,  Madam,  I  am  fully  answered.  But 
justice  to  the  candour  of  your  replies,  demands 
that  I  should  be  explicit  with  you,  and  lay  be- 
fore you,  what,  perhaps,  an  infatuated  boy 
would  fail  to  do.  You  know  I  suppose,  that 
Lord  Edward  is  my  third  son  ?  His  two  elder 
brothers  are  expensive  in  their  manner  of  living, 
and  their  claims  on  my  fortune  are  of  a  nature, 
supe'rior  to  his.  I  have  procured  him  the  se- 
cond rank  in  the  line  he  has  chosen,  and  I  can 
do  little  more.  In  order,  then,  to  support  him 
in  the  stile  in  which  he  was  brought  up,  and 
which  becomes  his  high  birth,  he  must  look 


52  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

for  a  large  fortune  with  a  wife.  I  have  propos- 
ed many  ladies  to  him,  and  hare  now  selected 
one,  whose  immense  wealth  is  her  least  claim 
to  admiration:  She  would  willingly  bestow  her 
hand  on  him  :  but  from  a  fatal  infatuation  he 
declines  it.  To  you,  Madam,  I  apply.  I  de- 
mand it  of  you,  to  point  out  to  the  deluded  Ed- 
ward, the  impolicy  of  his  obstinate  opposition 
to  my  commands." 

The  Duke  paused,  and  regarded  Louisa  with 
haughty  sternness  :  but  observing  no  traces  of 
the  weakness  of  her  sex,  on  the  burning  cheek 
of  the  victim  of  his  unfeeling  arrogance,  he  re- 
sumed, 

"  To  be  plain  with  you>  Madam,  Lord  Ed- 
ward never  can  be  yours  ;  since  your  fortune,  I 
believe,  is  but  ill  qualified  to  make  up  to  my 
son  the  deficiency  of  his  own." 

"  My  Lord  Duke."  said  Louisa,  with  a  mild 
dignity,  that  seemed  to  humble  the  proud  and 
pityless  Duke  of  Beaufort,  "  as  my  mother's 
relation,  and  as  the  father  of  Lord  Edward 
Lumley,  whom  I  had  injured,  I  thought  my- 
self called  on  to  listen  with  patience  to  your  re- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  53 

monstrances,  and  the  reproaches  I  knew  I  me- 
rited, however  unintentional  the  offence.  I 
have  heard  your  Grace,  and  have  formed  my 
determination." 

"So  have  I  mine,  Madam,"  interrupted  he, 
"  if  you  many  my  son,  you  must  hope  for  no 
favour.  Edward  shall  not,  with  impunity,  dis- 
obey me  ;  and  since  your  attachment  to  him  is 
so  strong,  how  will  you  bear  to  see  him,  foi? 
your  sake,  an  alien  to  his  family — poor,  and 
loaded  with  the  curses  of  a  justly  incensed  fa- 
ther ?  Remember,  that  I,  in  time,  warn  you 
of  the  consequences,  that  will  attend  a  union 
so  improper.  Reflect  on  what  the  experience 
of  numbers  too  planly  prove  to  be  the  case  ; 
that  though  love  might  smile  in  a  cottage,  while 
the  delirium  of  tenderness  lasts,  and  while  sur- 
rounded with  the  elegancies  of  life  ;  yet  when 
poverty  enters,  love  flies  far  away,  and  leaves 

only  fruitless  repentance. 'You  see,  Ma- 

dam,  what  Lady  Edward  Lumley,  (unless  she 
is  chosen  by  myself)  is  to  expect  from  the  Duke 
of  Beaufort." 

"  Your  determination,"  said  Louisa,  wound- 
ed pride  and  offended  delicacy  glowed  in  every 
H 


54  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

feature,  as  she  gracefully  arose,  "  your  deter- 
mination I  have  heard  ;  now  hear  mine. — Tha* 
for  Lord  Edward  I  would  endure  any,  and  every 
distress,  in  which  he  was  not  a  sharer  ;  aivd 
though,  could  he  raise  me  to  a  throne,  he  would 
be  equally  dear  to  me,  never  will  I  become  his 
wife  !  Since,  in  doing  so,  I  must  owe  duty  and 
reverence  to  a  man,  who  meanly  took  advantage 
of  my  youthful  candour,  to  treat  me  with  cru- 
elty and  insult." 

She  courtseyed  slightly,  and  walked  firmly 
out  of  the  room  ;  but  the  door  was  hardly  clos- 
ed, when  the  heroism  that  had  supported  her 
failed,  and  turning  into  the  library,  she  flung 
herself  on  a  sofa,  and  weeping,  was  insensible 
to  every  thing  but  the  anguish  that  wrung  her 
heart,  from  the  idea  that  she  had  given  up  Lord 
Edward  Lumley  for  ever. 

It  had  not  unfrefjuently  happened,  that  Lord 
Edward  had  visited  the  Montrose  family,  when 
they  were  particularly  engaged,  and  he  had  been 
refused  admittance  ;  and  the  Earl  then  desired 
him,  always  to  walk  into  the  library,  without 
asking  any  questions,  and  that  he  might  there 
amuse  himself  till  the  family  were  disengaged. 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  55 

It  happened  that  this  morning  he  had  done  so, 
and  was  sitting  reading,  when  he  saw  Louisa 
enter,  and  was  a  witness  of  her  agohifes.  He 
threw  his  arms  round  her,  and  entreated  l>er  to 
tell  him  the  cause  of  that  sorrow,  which  had  so 
totally  overcome  her  fortitude.  He  tried  to 
soothe  her,  but  in  vain.  The  moment  she  re- 
collected her  situation,  she  endeavoured  to  dis- 
engage herself  from  him,  but  he  still  detained 
her. 

"  Louisa,"  cried  he,  "  ypu  must  not  leave  me 
in  the  cruel  suspence  your  tears  have  given  rise 
to.  Did  I  not  hear  my  father's  voice  ? — h  is 
so,  Louisa,  and  you  have  been  prevailed  on  to 
renounce  me — But  never  will  1  give  you  up  \* 

"  You  must,  my  Lord,"  returned  Louisa, 
>vho  lost  the  sense  of  her  own  suffering  in  her 
wish  to  spare  him  some  of  the  pain  she  must 
otherwise  inflict ;  "  you  must  submit  to  the  ne- 
cessity, which  commands,  that  this  should  be 
our  last  meeting.  Here  we  must  part  for  ever  ; 
?.nd  you  must  forget  that  Louisa  Percy  ever  ex- 
isted. Farewell  ! — may  you  be  happy  !  and 
in  hearing  of  your  felicity,  mine  will  be  pro- 
moted. " 


5  6  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

She  was  leaving  him  ;  and  had  already  reach- 
ed the  door,  when  he  sprung  after  her,  and 
holding  her  hand,  "  Stay,"  he  exclaimed,  "  stay, 
and  tell  me  why  we  must  part  ?  You  would 
not,  I  know,  trifle  with  one  who  loved  you  ; 
but  why  must  I  forget  that  my  Louisa  ever  ex- 
isted ?  Is  it  because  she  never  regards  me,  and 
is  going  to  be  the  Louisa  of  another  ?.  ■  Oh  ! 
do  not  torture  me  with  this  silent  calmness." 

"  If  I  am  calm,"  said  the  lovely  heroine,  with 
suppressed  anguish,  «  it  is  to  spare  you  the 
sight  of  the  affliction  it  gives  me,  to  part  with 
you  for  ever.  Duty  and  honor  alike  command 
the  sacrifice,  and  I  will  be  the  first  to  make  it ! 
— Once  more,  ever  dear  Edward,  farewell  !— - 
Obey  your  parents  ;  and  let  me  hear  that  you 
u!  e  happy  with  the  woman  they  have  chosen  for 
your  wife.  Dut  I  must  never  see  you  more.  I 
have  vowed" 

"  Then  my  fears  were  prophetic  ;  and  the 
barbarous  hand  of  a  father,  stabs  the  heart  of  his 
son  ! — But  can  you,  Louisa,  assist  in  the  wan. 
Ion  cruelty  that  would  destroy  me  ;  and  blast 
the  peace  of  my  angel  mother  ?" 

11  No,  Edward,  no.     My  love  would  save  you 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  57 

from  parental  curses  ! — I  could  bear  to  be  se- 
parated from  you  ;  but  I  could  not  endure  your 
unhappincss,  if  originating  in  me.  I  could  not 
behold  your  repentance,  for  what  it  would  not 
be  in  my  power  to  recall  ;  and  the  idea,  that 
my  fatal  attachment  had  involved  you  in  pover- 
ty and  disgrace.  Be  calm,  dearest  Edward  ; 
give  not  way  to  those  agonies,  but  let  us  part." 

Louisa  began  to  be  alarmed  at  the  almost 
frenzied  emotions  of  her  lover's  mind,  that  were 
discernible  in  his  features  :  contending  passions 
deprived  him  of  utterance,  and  shook  his  whole 
frame.  She  laid  her  hand  on  his  arm,  repeat- 
ing, in  the  softest  voice,  "  Dearest  Edward  ! 
dear  cousin  !" — .He  stared — he  caught  both  her 
trembling  hands,  and  grasping  them  closely,  he 
said,  in  a  low  reproachful  tone,  "  Mock  me 
not  with  those  tender  appellations,  when  your 
heart  is  insensible  to  the  tortures  you  inflict  on 
mine.  Oh  !  rather  than  part  let  us  immediate- 
ly be  united  by  a  private  maniage.  You  are 
not  averse  and  insensible,  Louisa.  Those  tears 
tell  me  you  are  not,  and  you  will  not  deny  me  !'* 

"  I  must,  Edward  ;  and  from  the  conviction 
that  I  am  right,     I  never  will  sew  disscntion 


58  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

in  any  family,  and  the  Duke  of  Beaufort  shall 
not  again  insult  me." 

"  Has  he  then  been  the  monster  ?" 

li  Hold,  my  Lord,"  cried  Louisa,  interrupt- 
ing him,  u  he  is  your  father,  and  I  have  for- 
given him.  I  did  not  merit  his  cruelty  or  the 
ignominy  with  which  he  treated  me  ;  and  I 
could  bear  it.  But  could  I  accede  to  your  wild 
proposal,  I  should  deserve  his  contempt,  and 
the  thought  would  indeed  wound  me.  Never 
will  I  force  myself  on  him." 

"  Nor  shall  you.  Neither  he,  nor  my  impe- 
rious sister,  shall  ever  intrude  on  my  Louisa : 
—but  my  mother,  the  gentlest^ths  most  amia- 
ble of  human  beings,  will  smile  on  our  felicity 
and  share  it." 

"  Edward,"  said  the  sweet  Louisa,  with  len- 
der firmness,  "  that  felicity  would  be  only  for 
a  time:  and,  by  marrying,  I  si  ould  destroy 
your  prospects  and  your  peace,  without  pro- 
moting my  own.  In  a  very,  few  years  love 
would  be  no  more,  and  you  would  look  round 
ycu,  with  regret,  to  the  dreary  scene  of  your 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  5» 

future  clays.  You  would  then  behold  yourself 
in  the  bloom  of  youth,  encumbered  with  a  wife, 
perhaps  a  family,  with  a  slender  support,  and 
doubtful  provision  ;  excluded  from  those  circles 
wherein  you  had  been  accustomed  to  move  ; 
your  military  ardour  damped  by  the  impossi- 
bility of  rising  in  the  army,  and  struggling 
with  the  effects  of  a  father's  stern  displeasure. 
Oh  !  Edward,  when  you  looked  towards  the  fa- 
tal cause  of  all  this;  when,  (no  longer  blinded 
by  passion)  you  saw  one,  no  more  prized  for 
beauty  ;  her  temper  injured  by  reflection  on 
her  situation  ;  of  a  diiferent  religion  from  your 
own,  you  will  be  miserable— and  I  should  have 
the  misfortune  of  beholding  it.  Were  I  alone 
to  suffer,  gladly  would  I  encounter  any  evil  for 
your  sake.  But  the  keenest  stings  of  adversity 
enter  through  the  bosom  of  those  we  love  ;  and 
every  pang  that  wrung  your  heart  would  be 
doubly  felt  by  mine." 

*'  Cold  unfeeling  reasoner  !"  said  Lord  Ed- 
ward, with  asperity,  «  but  you  have  convinced 
me,  that  my  love  would  be  the  bane  of  your 
happiness.  It  would  make  you,  like  me,  a  beg- 
gar, an  alien,  and  a  wretch.  It  would  blast 
your  hopes,  tear  you  from  Haiti  fax,  whom, 
though  discarded,  you  still  prefer," 


60  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Louisa  was  hurt:  she  fancied  him  above  the 
mean  jealousy  which  disappointed  lovers  gene- 
rally express  ;  and  anger  encreased  the  firm- 
ne3s  she  had  struggled  to  acquire,  and  had  so, 
nobly  exerted. 

u  Continue  thus  to  think,  my  Lord,"  she  re- 
joined ;  "  you  cannot  long  regret  a  faithless  wo- 
man :  and  1  am  contented  if,  in  despising  me, 
you  can  forget  the  pain  I  have  given  you. 
Adieu  !  when  you  see  me  no  longer,  reason  wilj 
conquer  the  infatuation,  of  love  ! — Adieu." 

Without  another  tear,  or  one  lingering  look 
of  sorrow,  but  with  a  heart  a  pray  to  despair, 
Louisa  drew  away  her  hands  ;  and  leaving  the 
room,  retreated  to  her  chamber;  leaving  the 
now  miserable  Edward  Lumley  deprived  of 
every  hope  and  consolation. 

Scenes  yet  more  trying,  and  more  distress- 
ing, were  preparing  for  the  gentle  and  amiable 
Louisa. 

The  Earl  of  Montrose  had,  for  many  years, 
been  subject  to  paralytic  attacks  ;  and  on  the 
next  day  but  one  to  that  on  which  his  daughter 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  61 

parted  from  her  lover,  he  was  brought  home  in 
his  carriage  so  extremely  ill,  that  his  physicians 
declared  it  was  impossible  he  could  survive  a 
week. 

Lady  Montrose,  naturally  of  a  delicate  con- 
stitution, sunk  under  this  fatal  sentence,  and 
declined  rapidly  ;  while  Louisa  was  obliged  to 
return  and  attend  to  both.  The  Countess  ever 
gentle  and  amiable,  and  now  perfectly  resigned 
by  her  patience  and  affectionate  sweetness,  ren- 
dered the  task  of  her  daughter  an  easy  one,  so 
far  as  regarded  herself;  but  the  Earl,  always 
of  a  violent  and  gloomy  temper,  and  now,  by 
turns,  peevish,  and  irascible,  was  a  continual 
torment  to  the  mild  and  uncomplaining  Louisa. 

One  day,  after  a  long  silence,  uninterrupted 
even  by  groans,  had  persuaded  Louisa  that  her 
father  had  slept,  he  suddenly  undrew  the  cur- 
tain of  his  bed,  and  called  her  to  him. 

"Louisa,"  suid  he  sternly,  "  have  you  ever 
deceived  me  ?" 

"  No,  my  Lord,"  she  replied,  after  a  mo- 
ment's hesitation,  "of  that  my  heart  acquits 
me." 

I 


62  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

"  Take  care,  child,"  said  the  Earl  ;  adding* 
after  a  short  pause,  "  you  love !  Louisa,  and 
you  have  concealed  it  carefully." 

Louisa's  colour  changed  ;  but  she  replied 
•with  the  ingenuous  calmness  of  innocence, 
"  You  'wrong  me,  my  Lord,  I  have  been  guily 
of  no  concealment.  Had  you  demanded  my 
confidence,  nay,  had  you  even  seemed  to  ob- 
serve my  unfortunate  partiailty,  1  should  not 
have  denied  it." 

"  Louisa,"  interrupted  the  Earl,  "  I  had 
hoped  it  would  never  have  exissted.  I  had 
hoped  that  your  piety,  your  duty,  would  have 
prevented  you  from  fromihg  a  connection  with 
a  heretic;  one  destitute  of  fortune  ;  who  con- 
scious that  lie  was  so,  took  advantage  of  a  pa- 
rent's easy  confidence,  to  steal  into  the  heart  of 
liis  daughter,  and  betray  her  to  ruin.  This  did 
*that  proud  unyielding  heretic— your  Edward 
Lumley." 

«  Oh !  my  father,"  cried  the  generous  Loui- 
sa, with  fast  flowing  tears,  «  Oh  1  my  father, 
wrong  not  so  cruelly  one,  who  was  never  gudty 
of  intentionally  offending  you,    If  I  loye  Lum- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  63 

ley,  the  blame  of  doing  so  has  been  mine  !  He 
could  not  make  himself  less  amiable  than  nature 
has  formed  him  ;  but  he  took  no  pains  to  ensnare 
my  affections  ;  nor  did  he  profess  more  than 
friendship  for  me,  till  accident  revealed  his  love. 
He  is  not  proud  ;  he  is  not  unyielding)  except 
in  honor  ;  and  if  he  is  an  heretic,  it  is  because 
he  never  was  instructed  in  the  ttnets  of  our  ho- 
ly faith.  And  would  you  wish  that  a  son  of 
your  own,  should,  for  a  religion  of  which  lie 
knew  not  the  merits,  abjure  that  of  his  ances- 
tors, and  abandon  the  service  of  his  country  ?" 

The  effect  that  the  pleadings  of  lady  Louisa 
might  otherwise  have  had  on  the  Earl,  was  now 
lost  by  this  inadvertant  mention  of  his  sons. 
The  conformation  of  Lord  Dudley  and  bis  bro- 
ther to  the  religion  of  the  established  church, 
Lord  Montrose  had  submitted  to  witness  with 
a.  tolerable  grace  ;  and,  while  they  lived,  gra- 
tified ambition  closed  his  ears  against  the  whis- 
pers, of  superstitious  bigotry;  but,  since  they 
died,  the  natural  gloom  of  his  disposition  in- 
creasing, he  did  not  hesitate  to  attiibute  the 
misfortune  of  losing  ail  his  sons  to  having  con- 
sented to  their  abandoning  the  Catholic  I  aith. 
lie  now  severely  tebuktd  his  daughter  for  hav- 


64  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

ing  recalled  the  remembrance  of  his  sorrowSj 
and  added,  "  You  are,  however,  at  liberty  ; 
and  will,  no  doubt,  use  that  liberty,  as  soon  as 
my  remains  are  laid  in  earth,  to  wed  your  he- 
retic ! — to  give  up  your  duty  and  your  religion 
to  love,  and,  perhaps,  will  be  happy  for  a  few 
short  weeks  ;  but  ioon,  soon  will  the  time  come, 
when  you  will  repent  your  headstrong  follyi 
and  wish,  with  anguish,  that  you  had  never 
trusted  to  a  man,  on  whom,  at  his  pleasure, 
your  claims  must  cease  !  Know,  you  do  not, 
blind,  infatuated  girl,  that  such  a  marriage 
would  not  be  lawful !  and  that  your  quondam 
husband  might,  wiien  weary  of  your  endear- 
ments, stamp  you  with  a  harlot's  title  ;  turn 
you  and  your  beggared  children  from  his  house, 
to  seek  from  an  insulting  and  pityless  world, 
food  and  raiment  !" 

Louisa  was  shocked  at  the  prospect  he  pre- 
sented to  her,  of  the  consequences  of  a  union 
with  a  man  she  almost  adored  ;  and  perfect  as 
was  her  reliance  on  the  honor  of  Lord  Edward 
she  trembled  at  the  bare  possibility  of  her  ex- 
periencing such  a  fate,  and  was  on  the  point  of 
vowing  never  to  see  him  more,  when  the  Earl 
(wearied  with  the  exertion  of  speaking.)  faint- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  6$ 

ed  away  ;  and  though  he  lived  two  days  after* 
iraids,  the  subject  was  never  renewed. 

From  the  very  delicate  state  of  Lady  Mon« 
trose's  health,  it  might  be  expected  that  she 
would  receive  a  shock  from  the  death  of  a  be- 
loved husband  that  would  have  terminated  her 
life.  But  she  seemed,  though  bowed  down  by 
sorrow,  and  reduced  to  a  state  of  the  utmost 
debility,  to  be  in  no  immediate  danger  ;  but  on 
the  contrary,  to  be  more  tranquil  and  easy  than 
she  had  long  been. 

Louisa  one  day  (soon  after  her  father  had  ex- 
pired in  speaking  to  her  Ladyship's  physician, 
expressed  a  pleasing  hope  that  she  might  re- 
cover. 

"  My  dear  Lady  Louisa,"  said  the  sensible 
id  benevolent  Doctor  jM»  ■,  "  it  would  give 
le  pleasure  to  see  you  enjoy  such  a  saiibfacti- 
m,  were  I  not  in  candour  obliged  to  inform 
rou,  that  those  hopes  are  fallacious,  and  you 
must  expect  to  lose  this  dear  mother.  A  dis- 
order like  Lady  Montrose's  (originating  in  the 
mind)  after  a  certain  period,  makes  rabid  ad- 
vances, and,   if  left  to   itself,  generally   ends 


U  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

without  a  struggle  ;  but  if  the  sufferer  is  op* 
pressed  with  any  new  calamity,  it  sometimes 
rouses  those  feelings  that  seemed  worn  out  in 
former  conflicts,  and  gives  the  mind,  and  some- 
times the  body,  temporary  vigour  ;  yet  death 
becomes  then  more  certain  of  his  prey  ;  and 
the  blow,  though  delayed  for  a  time,  fails  not 
to  fall.  Your  mother,  Lady  Louisa,  will  not 
remain  long  with  you  :  Nature  exhausted  by 
some  (to  me)  hidden  grief,  must  sink  under 
this  recent  heavy  misfortune  ;  and  a  constitu- 
tion naturally  feeble,  must  give  way  at  last. 
She  is  sensible  of,  and  resigned  to  her  fate  ; 
and  do  not,  my  amiable  young  friend,  by  in- 
dulging affliction,  for  what  can  neither  be  pre- 
vented or  delayed,  increase  those  sufferings, 
while  it  will  not  hasten  their  termination." 

From  this  time  the  amiable  Louisa  tried  to 
suppress,  or  at  least  to  conceal,  the  anguish 
she,  on  many  accounts,  endured,  from  her  de- 
clining parent :  she  read  to  her,  when  Lady 
Montrose  was  able  to  sit  up  ;  she  sometimes 
played  to  her  ;  nay,  she  even  used  to  command 
herself  so  far  as  to  sing.  But  the  idea  of  Ed- 
ward Lumley  was  so  closely  connected  with 
every  song-  in  her  collection,  that  they  brought 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  5? 

him  continually  to  remembrance,  and  destroy- 
ed all  hopes  of  regaining  tranquillity. 

Louisa  had  continued  this  arduous  task  for 
near  three  months;  when,  one  day,  Lady  Mon- 
trose's maid  drew  her  out  of  the  sick  chamber, 
and  informed  her,  that  there  was  a  lady  below 
so  very  urgent  to  speak  to  her,  that  she  had  in- 
vited her  to  quit  her  carriage,  and  she  now  ex- 
pected her  in  the  drawing-room.  Extremely 
surprised,  and,  perhaps,  curious  to  know  the 
cause  of  this  urgency  to  speak  with  her,  she 
hastily  descended  to  the  drawing-room.  On 
her  entrance,  the  stranger  advanced  to  her, 
and  with  an  air  of  tenderness  took  her  hand. 
This  Lady  seemed  to  be  in  the  meredian  of 
life  ;  the  beauty  and  delicacy  of  her  features 
seemed  rather  obscured  than  destroyed  by  the 
effects  of  evident  ill  health,  and  a  deep  dejec- 
tion, that  was  visible  in  her  whole  appearance  j 
which,  allowing  for  the  difference  of  female  at- 
tractions, and  those  of  men,  extremely  resem- 
bled Lord  Edward  Lumley. 

With  some  hesitation  she  announced  herself 
to  the  weeping  and  astonished  Louisa,  as  the 
Pulchess  of  Beaufort,     Louisa   withdrew  the 


€8  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

hand  her  visitor  held,  and  unable   to   speak, 
turned  away  her  head. 

"  Shun  me  not,  Lady  Louisa,"  said  the  gen- 
tle and  amiable  Duchess,  in  the  softest  accent, 
11  consider  me  not  as  the  wife  of  the  Duke  of 
Beaufort,  but  as  the  mother  of  your  Edward. 
His  attachment  is  no  secret  to  me,  and  I  ad- 
mire the  choice  he  has  made,  while  I  am  com- 
pelled to  forbid  his  happiness.  The  duty  of  a 
wife,  though  opposed  by  maternal  tenderness, 
must  prevail  ;  and  I  must  exert  my  influence 
to  divide  my  son  from  a  woman  so  deservedly 
dear  to  him.  Think  not,  Lady  Louisa,  that  I 
am  come  to  repeat  the  scene  that  you,  some 
time  since,  went  through  with  my  family.  No 
— my  heart  bled  for  you,  and  blushed  for  a  hus- 
band, as  my  cruel  daughter,  who  occasioned  it, 
related  it  to  me  ;  but  I  come  to  say,  that  I  have 
prevailed  on  Edward  to  leave  the  kingdom  for 
some  time." 

"  That  he  has  not  already  done  so,"  inter- 
rupted Louisa,  "  has  not,  Madam,  been  owing 
to  me.  .When  last  we  saw  each  other,  he  was, 
I  hoped,  convinced,  like  me,  of  the  absolute 
necessity  of  our  never  more  meeting," 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  69 

«  No,  Lady  Louisa,"  said  the  Dutchess,  with 
an  expression  of  mingled  tenderness  and  admi- 
ration in  her  countenance  ;  "  generous  and  no- 
ble as  I  know  your  efforts  to  have  been,  he  is 
not  yet  convinced  that  your  parting  is  inevitable, 
and  must,  I  much  fear,  be  eternal.  But  I  have 
so  far  prevailed  with  him  to  go  abroad  for  a  few 
years,  provided  you  will  allow  him  one  farewell 
interview.  1  know  not  how  to  wring  your  feel- 
ings by  asking  so  hard  a  proof  of  your  good- 
ness ;  but  for  him  I  think  I  could  attempt  any 
thing." 

"  Wherefore,  Madam,"  cried  the  agitated 
Louisa,  "  wherefore  should  we  ever  meet  ? 
"Why  should  I  grant  a  request  so  fatal  to  the 
peace  of  both,  which,  if  we  meet  no  more,  may 
be  restored  ?" 

"  Alas !  just,  as  what  you  say  appears  to  me, 
my  son's  mind  is  not  in  a  state  to  attend  to  the 
arguments  of  reason  and  propriety  ;  he  seeks 
an  indulgence  of  the  anguish  he  endures  ;  and 
if  you  deny  it  to  him,  his  reason  may  perhaps, 
fail  in  the  struggle.  Oh  !  Lady  Louisa,  will 
you  not,  do  you  think,  find  some  satisfaction  in 
the  idea  of  having  soothed  and  alleviated,  by 
K 


70  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

your  pityinglundness,  the  sorrows  of  one  who 
lores  you  almost  to  distraction  ?    Will  not  that 
consideration  be  consoling  to  your  mind,  in  the 
hours  of  separation  from  my  son  ?     For  myself 
(long  innurecl  to  suffering)  sorrow  has  no  such 
terrors,    that  to  save  my  own.  bosom    from  a 
wound,  I  would  wish  to  plant  the  barbed  arrow 
in  the  heart  of  another  :  but  when  I  think  on 
my  poor  Edmund ;  when  I  see  his  brilliant  ta- 
lents  and   cheerful   disposition,  obscured  by  a 
fatal  attachment  ;    his    fine    person  wasted  by 
sorrow  ;  my  fortitude  forsakes  me  ;  and  to  pro- 
cure him  momentary  ease,  I   could  even  afflict 
her  he  loves.     Can  you  then,  dear  and  lovely 
Louisa,  can  you  consent  once  more  to  see  him  ? 
—Ah  !  can  you  bid  him  think  of  you  no  longer  ? 
Alas  !  I  fear  my  request  is  such  as  it  is  not  in 
human  nature  to  grant ;  though  if  there  is  one 
in  the  world  who  is  equal  to  such  an  act  of  hero- 
ism, it  is  yourself." 

Louisa  felt  at  the.  moment  that  she  was  no 
heroine  in  inclination  :  but  trying  to  overcome 
her  emotion,  she  replied  : 

<«  The  sight  of  your  distress  is  torture  to  me, 
and  1  can  no  longer  endure  it.    Let  him  come, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  71 

Madam  ;  it  is  but  one  additional  pang;,  and  my 
heart  will  grow  calous,  or  break  in  the  strug- 
gle. Bring  hither  your  too  well  beloved  son, 
and  be  a  witness  of  our  interview  and  of  our 
parting." 

"  Why,  why,"  exclaimed  the  Dutchess, 
{c  will  tyranny  and  prejudice  stand  in  the  way 
of  felicity  ?  Did  they  not  exist,  with  what  rap- 
ture should  I  clasp  the  Louisa  of  my  Edward 
to  my  heart,  and  bid  them  be  blest.— Forgive 
me  for  thus  afflicting  you  ;  and  let  my  misery 
plead  my  excuse,  for  my  little  consideration  of 
your  feelings.  My  heart  is  almost  broken,  but 
N  till  it  ceases  to  beat,  you  will  ever  retain  a  place 
in  it ! — At  twelre  to-morrow — " 

She  could  say  no  mo;e,  and  tenderly  cm- 
bracing  Louisa,  she  hastened  to  her  carriage, 
to  conceal  her  emotions. 

Frcm  the  time  that  Lady  Cecilia  Lumley 
had  discovered  her  brother's  attachment  to 
Louisa,  she  had  studied  to  find  out  the  mode  of 
informing  her  parents  of  it,  that  would  be  most 
Irkely  to  exasperate  them  against  a  woman  she 
detested,    for   having  robbed  her  of  her  long 


72  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

cherished  hope  of  making  a  conquest  of  the 
Marquis  of  Hallifax.  She  at  last  found  this  op- 
portunity at  court,  when  Lady  Louisa  was  pre- 
sented. Lady  Cecilia  observed,  the  fair  Cale- 
donian excited  the  admiration  of  the  whole  cir- 
cle ;  and  she  said  to  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  in 
a  sarcastic  tone,  and  pointing  to  Louisa,  "  That 
is  the  pretty  papist  beggar,  whom  my  brother 
Edward  means  to  marry." 

This  was  enough  to  inflame  the  Duke,  and, 
on  his  return  home,  he  called  on  his  daughter 
for  an  explanation  of  what  she  had  said  in  the 
drawing-room  ;  which  she  gave,  by  relating 
all  she  had  heard  of  Lord  Edward's  constant 
visits  at  the  house  of  Lord  Montrose. 

The  Duke  did  not  take  the  trouble  of  speak- 
ing to  his  son  on  the  subject  ;  but  at  the  first 
convenient  time  went  to  Lady  Louisa,  certain 
of  being  able  to  terrify  her  into  giving  up  Lord 
Edward  for  ever  ;  and  at  his  return  home  from 
this  memorable  visit,  related  to  Lady  Cecilia  all 
that  had  passed.  Lady  Cecilia,  afterwards  re- 
peated it,  with  much  exultation,  to  her  mother, 
but  faifed  in  the  end  she  had  proposed  ;  for  the 
Dutchess  ftlt  herself  excessively  interested  in 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  73 

Louisa,  by  hearing  oflier  behaviour  ;  and  hav- 
ing spoken  of  her  to  Lord  Edward,  heard 
enough  from  him  to  give  her  a  pretty  just  idea 
of  his  mistress.  This  charming  woman  who 
adored  her  son  Edward,  would  (on  seeing  his 
heart  fixed  on  it)  have  immediately  advised  his 
private  union  with  Louisa;  had  she  not  known, 
by  sad  experience,  that  such  was  the  unfeeling 
and  cruel  arrogance  of  her  husband's  character 
that  he  would,  should  he  ever  discover  this  mar- 
riage, use  every  exertion  to  have  it  set  aside  ; 
which  might,  by  a  man  of  his  power,  be  easily 
done,  on  account  of  the  difference  of  religion, 
let  Lord  Edward  make  what  efforts  he  would 
in  opposition  to  it. 

When  the  Dutchess  of  Beaufort  left  Louisa, 
the  latter  deliberated,  whether  she  should  in- 
form Lady  Montrose  of  the  visit  she  had  re- 
ceived, and  the  one  she  expected  on  the  mor- 
row :  She  at  last  resolved  to  be  silent  on  the 
subject  ;  and  gave  such  orders  to  Lady  Mon- 
trose's maid,  relative  to  the  admittance  of  the 
Dutchess  and  her  son,  as  would  render  it  im- 
possible her  mother  should  know  that  they 
were  in  the  house. 

Rather  before    twelve  o'clock   the  following 


n  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

day,  Louisa  saw  the  Duke  of  Beaufort's  coach 
stop  at  the  door,  and  Lord  Edward  Lumley  as- 
sisted his  mother  to  alight  from  it.  Though 
prepared  to  see  him  she  was  so  much  agitated, 
that  she  required  several  minutes  to  compose 
herself,  before  she  could  summon  resolution  to 
go  down  stairs  to  meet  him.  When  she  open- 
ed the  door  of  the  room  where  her  lover  was, 
the  total  alteration  of  his  appearance  so  much 
shocked  her,  that  her  trembling  was  renewed; 
and,  unable  to  articulate  a  syllable)  she  could 
only  bow  in  silence  to  the  Duchess,  and  sit 
down.  Lord  Edward  had  arisen  as  she  came 
in  ;  but,  as  much  agitated  as  herself,  he  had 
not  power  either  to  speak,  or  move  towards  her. 

The  mental  anguish  he  had  endured  had,  in- 
deed, effected  a  striking  change  in  his  person  ; 
he  was  grown  extremely  thin  and  pale  ;  his  fine 
blue  eyes  no  longer  sparkled  with  intelligence 
and  spirit  ;  but  sunken  and  hollow,  had  lost  all 
their  brilliancy  :  his  light  brown  hair,  devoid 
of  powder  and  dressing,  partly  concealed  his 
forehead  ;  and  the  negligence  of  his  dress,  with- 
out making  him  appear  slovenly,  yet  betrayed 
the  despondency  of  his  mind.  He  spoke  not* 
but  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  Louisa,  sighed  fre- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN".  75 

quently  and  deeply.  The  amiable  Dutchess, 
anxious  to  relieve  both,  and  put  an  end,  as  soon 
as  possible,  to  this  distressing  scene,  mention- 
ed Switzerland  ;  whither,  she  said,  her  son  was 
going. 

Lord  Edward  started  from  his  reverie,  and 
approaching  Louisa,  asked,  almost  mechani- 
cally, whether  she  had  any  commands  which  he 
could  execute  for  her  there. 

She  burst  into  tears  ;  which  he  observing, 
said,  in  a  manner,  that  proved  him  to  be  deter- 
mined to  hasten,  as  much  as  possible,  what 
must  inevitably  be  done  : 

Lady  Louisa,  when  I  requested  my  mother 
to  bean  advocate  with  you  for  the  favour  of  this 
one  interview,  I  resolved  not  to  let  passion 
overcome  my  sense  of  propriety  ;  or  to  distress 
you  with  the  sight  of  agonies,  you  have  it  not 
in  your  power  (consistently  with  your  ideas  of 
rectitude)  to  relieve.  1  fancied  that  to  behold 
you  once  more,  and  to  see  you  indifferent, 
"would  cure,  or,  at  least,  alleviate  my  wretched- 
ness ;  and  that  I  could  bid  you  adieu  without  re- 
luctance :  but,  I  think,  I  perceive  that  I  am  still 


76  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

dear  to  you  ;  and  I  cannot  bear  to  afflict  you  by 
fruitless  lamentation.  Your  peace  and  honor 
require  our  separation  ;  and,  torn  as  my  heart 
is,  at  the  thought  of  parting  with  you,  I  submit. 
Will  you,  however,  deign  to  wear  this  picture  ? 
—Sometimes,  when  you  look  on  it,  think  of 
the  original,  and  doubt  not  his  friendship." 

With  apparent  composure  he  fastened  a  beau- 
tiful minature  of  himself  round  the  neck  of  ihe 
passive,  and  now  almost  insensible  Louisa  ;  and 
when  he  had  done  so,  before  he  rose  from  his 
knees  (for  he  had  knelt  to  clasp  the  gold  chain 
to  which  the  picture  hung)  he  threw  his  arms 
round  her,  and  for  a  minute  or  two  seemed  to 
forget  himself;  then  hastily  rising,  took  the 
hand  of  his  mother  and  lead  her  to  the  carriage. 

Though  Louisa  had  been  thought  to  expect 
that  Lord  Edward  Lumley  could  never  be  her's, 
and  had  almost  succeeded  in  her  endeavours  to 
persuade  herself,  that  so  far  from  hoping  it  was 
possible  she  might  at  some  future  time  enjoy 
felicity  with  him,  she  did  not  even  wish  it  ;  the 
idea,  that  she  had  seen  him  for  the  last  time, 
operated  on  her  mind  like  a  disappointment, 
and  nearly  overcame  her  fortitude.     She  was 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  77 

finable  to  move  from  her  seat  after  he  had  left 
the  room,  till  the  noise  of  folding  up  the  step 
of  the  carriage  that  was  to  convey  him  (with  his 
mother)  from  Albermarle-street,  aroused  her 
from  this  stupor  of  sorrow,  and  she  sprung  to- 
wards the  window,  if  possible  to  obtain  another 
glance  of  one  so  beloved.  But  even  this  me- 
lancholy consolation  was  denied  her  :  she  saw 
the  footman  shut  the  coach  door,  the  glass  was 
instantly  drawn  up,  and  the  carriage  drove  off. 
Louisa  watcjied  it  as  long  as  she  could,  and  then 
again  sat  down,  unable  to  weep,  and  almost 
devoid  of  sense  and  recollection.  For  several 
minutes  she  continued  in  this  state  ;  and,  at  last, 
sighing  deeply,  "Farewell,  dear  amiable  Lum- 
ley,  wc  meet  no  more  in  this  world  ;  but  there 
is  a  better  life,  where  tyranny  cannot  again  di- 
vide two  persons,  whose  hearts  are  united  like 
ours." 

Louisa  smiled  unconsciously  at  the  prospect 
of  again  beholding  her  lover,  even  after  death 
should  have  released  both.  And  now,  for  the 
first  time,  recollecting  the  picture  he  had  given 
her,  she  took  it  in  her  hand  to  examine  it :  It 
was  a  striking  likeness  ;  and  what  pleased 
Louisa  more  than  any  thing  else  ;  it  was,  she 
L 


78  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

fancied,  evidently  painted  since  Lord  Edward 
had  been  unhappy.  She  would  have  felt  un- 
pleasantly had  his  portrait  "  smiled  when  she 
was  miserable  ;"  and  the  placid  dejection  of  the 
countenance  encreased  the  likeness,  while  it 
assured  her  that  the  miniature  had  never  been 
the  property  of  another.  In  this,  however,  she 
was  mistaken.  He  sat  to  the  painter  who  drew 
it,  at  the  urgent  request  of  his  twin  sister,  a- 
bout  three  years  before.  Lady  Frances  Luni- 
ley  (whom  he  most  fondly  loved)  was,  at  that 
time  dying;  of  a  consumption  ;  but,  like  most 
persons  in  that  situation,  was  blind  to  her  own 
danger  ;  and  as  her  brother  was  then  going 
with  his  regiment  to  Ireland,  she  insisted  on 
his  leaving  her  his  picture.  The  ideas  that 
could  not  fail  to  occupy  his  mind,  while  indulg- 
ing her  in  the  melancholy  fancy,  gave  a  sort  of 
sadness  to  his  features,  which  rendered  them 
unusually  pleasing,  and  made  him  look  older 
than  he  really  was.  As  Lady  Frances  died  be- 
fore the  picture  was  finished,  it  became  the 
property  of  her  mother  ;  who  now  parted  with 
it  at  the  entreaty  of  Lord  Edward,  who  wished 
to  present  it  to  his  love. 


As  Louisa  gazed  on  the  resemblance  of  the 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  f9 

*ian  she  loved,  her  heart  was  softened  with  sor- 
row, and  her  tears  fell  rapidly  on  the  chrystal. 
They  in  some  measure  relieved  her  ;  and  press- 
ing the  portrait  to  her  lips,  she  made  a  secret 
vow  never  to  part  with  it  even  in  death. 

Collecting  all  her  fortitude,  for  the  perfor- 
mance of  her  filial  duties,  Lady  Louisa  now  re- 
turned with  seeming  composure  to  the  cham- 
"ber  of  the  Countess,  who  evidently  had  not 
many  days  to  live.  For  the  week  that  she  sur- 
vived, her  amiable  daughter  attended  her  with 
the  most  cheerful  fortitude,  denying  herself 
even  the  sad  indulgence  of  tears,  for  her  own 
sorrows,  or  the  prospect  of  her  mother's  disso- 
lution :  Sometimes  she  would  draw  from  her 
bosom,  the  little  resemblante  of  her  lover,  gaze 
at  it  in  silent  anguish,  and  then  kissing  it  fer- 
vently, she  would  restore  it  to  its  place  without 
one  audible  sigh. 

At  length  the  decisive  hour  arrived,  and  at 
about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  Lady  Mon- 
trose breathed  her  last.  Louisa  was  alone  with 
her,  and  was  supporting  her  in  her  arms,  when 
she  expired ;  and  no  sooner  was  it  certain  that 
she  was  no  more,  than  the  wretched  daughter 


30  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

laid  the  head  of  the  corpse  on  the  pillow,  and 
with  the  stoical  apathy  of  despair,  sat  down  on 
the  bed-side  to  watch  it.  The  nurse  and  maid, 
who  had  attended  the  deceased,  endeavoured  to 
persuade  Louisa  to  go  from  the  chamber,  but  in 
vain.  She  continued  motionless  and  silent  till 
midnight,  (the  time  when  she  had  bi  en  accus- 
tomed to  lie  down  and  try  to  sleep)  and  then 
rising  went  to  her  room.  Her  bed  was  prepar- 
ed, as  usual,  and  she  almost  unconsciously  went 
in  to  it,  though  without  undressing.  A  short 
time  afterwards  her  maid  went  into  the  room, 
and  softly  undrawing  the  curtains,  was  surpris- 
ed to  find  her  mistress  already  asleep  ;  but  re- 
joiced at  it,  as  she  had  neither  eat  nor  rested 
for  the  last  three  days.  She  accordingly  stole 
out  of  the  chamber  j  and  returning  to  it  next 
morning,  beheld  the  unhappy  Louisa  suffering 
in  one  of  the  delirious  paroxysms  of  a  fever. 

Fur  one  and  twenty  days  she  continued  insen- 
sible to  her  afflictions,  and  to  the  tenderness  of 
her  friends  ;  but  on  the  twenty  second  day  she 
recovered  her  recollection,  and  was  pronounced 
likely  to  live.  But  to  live  was  not  the  wish  of 
Louisa,  since  her  existance  could  never  be  hap- 
py  to  herself,  and  only  served  to  embitter  that 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  81 

of  him  she  loved.  She  had  a  melancholy  con- 
viction of  this  sad  truth  on  the  day  that  her  ill- 
ness took  a  favourable  turn.  She  had  been 
some  minutes  awake,  and  in  her  senses,  trying; 
to  recollect  where  she  was,  when  the  wispers  of 
two  persons,  who  seemed  conversing  behind 
the  curtain  of  her  bed,  which  was  half  closed, 
attracted  her  attention  ;  and  she  heard  a  female 
voice  pronounce,  "  If,  indeed  you  do  not  mean 
to  destroy  her,  retire.  If  her  reason  is  restor- 
ed by  this  long  sleep,  I  dread  the  consequences 
of  her  seeing  you."  To  which  the  other  per- 
son replied,  "  I  ask  only  once  more  to  look  on 
her  ;  and,  if  it  must  be  so,  bid  her  for  ever  and 
in  silence  adieu  !" 

There  was  something  in  the  tones  of  the  last 
speaker,  which  Louisa  fancied  she  remember- 
ed ;  and  the  idea  drew  a  deep  sigh  from  her 
bosom.  The  lady  heard  it,  and  softly  unclosing 
the  curtain,  displayed  to  the  poor  sufferer,  the 
Dutchess  of  Beaufort,  with  the  melting  benig- 
nity of  an  angel  in  her  pale  and  placid  counte- 
nance, leaning  over  the  bed,  and  holding  a  me- 
dicine, which  she  softly  entreated  the  patient  to 
swallow.  Louisa  feebly  raised  her  hand,  and 
putting  the  cup   away  from  her,  continued  to 


n  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

gaze  intently  on  the  Dutchess,  seeming  fearful 
that  the  amiable  vision  would  vanish.  Her 
Grace  now  turned  to  lay  the  medicine  on  a  ta- 
ble near  her,  and  Louisa  gained  strength  to  say, 
"  How  good  you  are,  my  dear  Madam  !  But 
favour  me  by  telling  me  where  I  am  ?" 

"  Be  silent,  I  beseech  you,  my  love,"  said  the 
gentle  Dutchess,  "  your  recovery  depends  on 
your  remaining  quiet." 

11  Ah  !"  returned  Louisa,  "  you  may  then 
satisfy  me  by  an  answer  to  my  question.  Why 
should  I  wish  to  recover,  since  my  life  is  a  bur- 
den to  myself,  and  a  matter  of  no  consequence 
to  any  other  human  being  ?" 

"  You  are  an  ingrate,"  said  the  Dutchess, 
"  in  doubting  that  you  have  some  tender  friends 
— one  at  least !" 

This  reproach  was  uttered  with  a  smile  so 
sweet,  as  gave  Louisa  confidence,  and  almost 
a  desire  to  live,  that  she  might  shew  her  grati- 
tude to  this  inestimable  woman  ;  who  now  find- 
ing that  to  answer  her  questions  was  the  only 
way  of  easing  her  mind  of  a  load  of   doubt  and 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  *3 

anxiety,  told  her,  that  she  was  at  present  in 
the  house  of  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  and  that  his 
Grace  had  been  in  Paris  for  above  two  months. 
Louisa  thought  this  was  the  proper  time  to 
know  whether  her  half  formed  conjecture  that 
Lord  Edward  Lumley  had  been  in  her  apart- 
ment was  just  ;  and  she  said,  faintly,  while  a. 
transient  blush  suffused  her  pallid  cheek. 

**  I  conjure  you  to  satisfy  me  on  one  more 
point :  Is  not  your  son  Edward  now  in  the 
house  ?" 

"  No,  my  dear  replied  the  Dutchess,  with 
some  hesitation  ;  "  but  why  will  you  exhaust 
yourself  with  speaking  ?  pray  be  composed,  and 
try  to  sleep." 

"  Ah !"  resumed  Louisa,  with  increased 
earnestness,  "  I  fear  you  deceive  me.  Surely 
I  am  not  mistaken.  I  heard  his  voice,  and 
even  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  uniform  he  was 
accustomed  to  wear." 

u  I  see,"  said  the  Dutchess,  who  had  by  this 
time  resolved  to  indulge  her,  "  that  you  are  not 
to  be  cheated  :  It  is  true  that  my  son  was  there  ; 


.6*1  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

but  not  Edward.  My  son  James  having  got  a 
etter  for  me,  from  Paris,  and  knowing- how 
anxious  I  was  to  receive  it,  ventured  to  disobey 
my  injunctions,  that  no  one  might  follow  me 
hither,  and  brought  it  to  me  himself." 

w  While  the  Dutchess  was  speaking,  her  own 
woman  (an  elderly  person)  came  into  the  room, 
to  inform  her  Lady,  that  her  presence  was  re- 
quired below  stairs  ;  and  then  took  her  place 
by  the  bedside  of  Louisa,  whom  she  advised  to 
try  and  get  a  little  sleep.  But  Louisa  found  it 
impossible.  The  voice  she  had  heard,  which 
she  still  fancied  to  have  been  that  of  her  lover, 
yet  rung  in  her  ears :  The  figure  she  had  im- 
perfectly seen  through  the  opening  of  the  cur- 
tain, gliding  out  of  the  room,  she  still  imagin- 
ed resembled  his.  She  thought  that  the  Dut- 
chess had,  from  kindness,  deceived  her ;  and 
wished  to  gain  some  intelligence  from  the  ser- 
vant, that  might  confirm,  or  confute,  her  sus- 
picions ;  She  would  not,  however,  express  open- 
ly a  doubt  of  the  veracity  of  her  kind  friend  ; 
and  inquired  of  her  attendant,  preparatory  to 
other  questions,  if  any  of  the  Lady  Lumieys 
were  in  the  house. 

«  No,   Madam,"    replied    Mrs,    Chedley? 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  85 

u  Lady  Cecilia,  the  only  one  of  her  Grace's 
daughters  now  unmarried,  is  at  Bath,  with  my 
Lord  Marquis  and  his  bride." 

w  Lord  James  is  however  at  home,"  said 
Louisa,  faintly. 

"  No,  Madami  he  is  not  ;  he  is  in  Paris 
with  the  Duke"  replied  Mrs.  Chedley,  adding, 
n  and  Lord  William  Harcour.t  returned  to  Ox- 
ford yesterday* 

"  Is  Lord  James  in  the  army  ?"  inquired 
Louisa,  making  one  more  effort  to  obtain  the 
certainty  she  desired  of  the  deceit  the  Dutchess 
had  practised  ;  and  sh-i  received  for  answer, 
another  negative,  Mrs.  Chedley  saying,  after- 
wards, t;  Their  Graces  have  no  son  in  the 
army,  except  Lord  Edward." 

Louisa  was  now  satisfied  ;  but  repose  was  as 
distant  as  ever  ;  and  when  the  Dutchess  return- 
ed to  visit  her,  she  fouiid  her  much  worse  than 
she  had  been  for  some  hours.  But  this  she  at- 
tributed to  the  patient's  recollection  of  the  loss 
she  had  sustained  in  Lady  Montrose,  for,  though 
she  knew  that  her  young  friend  was  not  one  of 
M 


86  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

those  querolous  complainers,  whose  sorrows 
are  always  more  severely  felt  by  those  around 
them,  whom  they  tenure  with  the  expression 
of  their  grief,  she  knew  her  to  possess  innate 
sensibility,  and  the  sincerest  affection  for  her 
deceased  mother. 

It  is  time,  however,  to  account  for  the  events 
just  related,  by  a  history  of  the  three  preceding 
weeks. 

As  soon  as  Lady  Louisa's  maid  saw  the  si- 
tuation of  her  mistress,  on  the  morning  after 
the  Countess  died,  she  called  in  the  worthy 
Doctor  M»  to  her  assistance  ;  who  declared 

the  unhappy  sufferer  to  be  in  extreme  danger, 
unless  the  greatest  care  was  taken  of  her  ;  and 
desired  to  be  informed  of  the  least  change  in 
her  disorder  immediately  on  its  taking  place. 
As  soon  as  he  had  given  those  directions,  and 
written  to  inform  the  present  Earl  of  Montrose 
of  the  death  of  his  relation,  and  the  illness  of 
Lady  Louisa,  he  was  returning  to  his  chariot, 
but  was  stopped  by  the  Dutchess  of  Beaufort. 

This  lady  having  stopped  at  the  door,  in  her 
carriage,  to  inquire  (as  she  often  did)  for  Lady 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  tY 

Montrose,  was  informed  of  the  situation  of  the 

family  ;  and  hearing  Doctor  M was  in  the 

house,  entered,  in  order  to  ask  his  opinion  of 
Louisa's  indisposition. 

"  Her  situation  is  extremely  hazardous,"  re- 
plied the  Doctor.  "  Her  fate  entirely  depends 
on  the  manner  in  which  she  is  treated  ;  and  the 
time  when  she  recovers  recollection,  now  en- 
tirely lost." 

■•:     ■* 

"  Do  you  not  yourself  mean  to  attend  her  ?'* 
enquired  the  Duichess. 

11  I    will    prescribe  for  her,"    he    answered, 
11  and,  as  much  as  is  in  my  power,  attend  to  her  ; 
but  the  constant  solicitude  of  a  friend  would  do 
more  towards   restoring  Lady  Louisa  than    the 
prescriptions   of  the    whole  faculty.     Her  dis- 
order  is  principally   mental,  and  originates  in 
some  secret  sorrow,  which  has  for  a  long  time 
preyed  upon  her  health,  more  than   the   death 
of  Lady  Montrose.     It  is  many  weeks  since  my 
lovely  young  friend  seemed  perfectly  resigned 
to  the  expected  misfortune,  which  has  new  fall- 
en upon  her  ;  and  I  rather  believe  her  illness 
to  be  owing  to  the  efforts  she   has  lately  made 


88  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

to  be  cheerful,  when,  I  have  reason  to  believei 
her  heart  was  breaking.  If  she  should  recover 
her  senses,  and  be  restored  to  the  remembrance 
of  her  sorrows,  before  the  crisis  of  her  fate  ar- 
rives, I  fear  it  will  be  a  fatal  one ;  and  only  the 
most  minute  and  watchful  attention  can  save 
her." 

"  Do  you  think,  Doctor,"  said  the  Dutchess, 
hesitatingly,  '•  that  the  sight  of  any  person 
who  may  recall  to  mind  the  cause  of  the  sorrow 
you  imagine  harrasses  the  spirits  of  the  invalid 
would  be  prejudicial  to  her  ?" 

"  I  will  speak  freely  to  your  Grace,"  return- 
ed the  physican,  (who  well  knew  what  occasi- 
ed  Lousa's  secret  dejection)  "and  I.will  tell  you 
that   there  is  a  person  in   the  world,  whom  to 
see,  would,  in  all  probability  destroy  her." 

"  But  in  order  to  reconcile  her  to  events  that 
have  long  afflicted  her,  she  must  be  led  to  think 
•f  them  ;  that,  by  doing  so,  her  own  excellent 
heart  and  refined  understanding  may  teach  her 
to  look  on  irremediable  sorrows  with  calm  re- 
signation." 

From  these  words,  and  the  manner  in  which 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  89 

Doctor  M delivered  them,  the  Dutchess 

easily  perceived  he  was  no  stranger  to  the  in- 
terest she,  through  her  son,  felt  in  the  fate  of 
Louisa  :  She  therefore  spoke  to  him  of  both 
■with  candour  ;  and  after  some  little  consulta- 
tion it  was  determined,  that  (as  it  could  be 
done  without  much  risk)  Lousa  should  be  re- 
moved to  the  Dutchess  of  Beaufort's  house,  in 
St.  James's-Square,  which,  as  it  has  been  left 
to  her  since  her  marriage,  she  looked  upon  as 
more  particularly  her  own,  than  any  house  of 
the  Duke  of  Beaufort's  could  be. 

To  this  measure  the  Dutchess  was  determin- 
ed by  two  considerations,  besides  that  of  her 
pity  for  the  friendless  Louisa.  First,  she  could 
not  leave  home  for  any  period  above  an  hour  or 
two,  as  her  son  Edward  was  just  then  recover- 
ing from  a  long  and  lingering  illness,  the  con- 
sequence of  hopeless  unhappiness  :  and  second- 
ly, the  late  Lady  Montrose's  house,  in  Albe- 
marle-Strtet,  devolved  to  the  young  Earl,  her 
heir  at  law;  and  though  his  Lordship  was  a 
most  amiable  youth,  his  uncle,  who  was  his 
guardian,  was  of  a  character  the  very  reverse 
of  polite,  considerate,  and  generous. 

In  a  few  days  Louisa  recovered  surprisingly  ; 


SO  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

the  mild  serenity  of  her  countenance  was  restor- 
ed, and  her  heart  seemed  for  a  time,  to  have 
forgot  its  sorrows  :  She  spoke  of  her  mother's 
death  as  an  event  too  desirable,  from  her  state 
of  mind,  and  wretched  health,  to  be  lamented; 
and  she  expressed  the  most  lively  gratitude  to 
the  Dutchess,  for  her  attention  to  herself.  This 
charming  woman  used  to  check  Louisa,  for 
what  she  called  her  impatience,  under  the  sha- 
dow of  an  obligation  ;  and  she  was  forced  to 
be  silent. 

But  though  Louisa  was  forbidden  to  speak, 
she  yet  felt  sensible  regret  at  the  restraint  she 
would  not  doubt  her  presence  imposed  on  her 
truly  maternal  friend.  She  saw  that  the  Dut- 
chess deprived  herself  of  the  company  of  her 
favorite  son,  (whom,  though  his  name  was  never 
mentioned,  she  believed  to  be  under  the  same 
roof,)  on  her  account ;  and  she  even  doubted  if 
the  Duke  would  not  be  displeased  at  her  re- 
maining so  long  in  his  house,  though  he  was 
himself  absent  from  it,  and  resolved  to  take  the 
first  opportunity  of  declaring  to  the  Dutchess 
her  intention  of  retiring  to  the  English  convent 
at  Lisbon,  there  to  seclude  herself  from  the 
world  for  ever.     The  late  Earl  of  Montrose 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN".  Si 

had,  till  the  death  of  his  sons  awakened  his  ten- 
derness for  his  daughter,  always  intended  that 
she  should  take  the  veil  there  ;  and  she  thought 
she  would  now  be  complying,  with  what  would 
have  been  his  desire,  had  he  lived  to  declare  it. 

Louisa  was  soon  enabled  to  make  known  her 
design  to  the  Dutchess  ;  who,  with  secret  re- 
luctance, was  obliged  to  say,  she  thought  her 
immediate  retirement  an  eligible  plan  ;  and  it 
was  decreed,  that  in  nine  weeks  from  the  death 
of  Lady  Montrose,  Louisa  should  depart  for 
Portugal. 

One  evening,  a  few  days  previous  to  their  se- 
paration, as  Louisa  and  the  Dutchess  were  sit- 
ting alone,  the  conversation  happened  to  turn 
on  past  events  ;  and  the  latter  said,  "  How  often 
have  I,  my  dear  Louisa,  since  my  Edward  first 
mentioned  you  to  me,  lamented  the  fatal  im- 
prudence of  my  marriage.  You  may,  perhaps, 
have  heard,  that  it  was  a  clandestine  one,  en- 
tered into  without  the  sanction  of  any  of  my 
frie'nds  ;  but  you  probably  have  never  heard 
those  circumstances  of  my  maiden  life,  which 
I  hope  would  lead  you  to  form  some  excuses  for 
my  conduct.'' 


92  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  It  is  possible  that  you  may  in  your  own 
mind  condemn  me,  for  not  exerting  that  influ- 
ence the  immense  fortune  I  brought  the  Duke, 
is  supposed  to  give  me  in  my  own  family,  to 
promote  the  happiness  of  my  favourite  son  ; 
which  can  only  be  done  by  effecting  his  union 
with  his  adored  Louisa.  But  when  people  de- 
cide on  the  conduct  of  others,  they  seldom  con- 
sider how  many  reasons  there  may  be  to  render 
that  conduct  necessary.  It  is  known  that  Miss 
Maynard's  family,  fortune,  and  connections, 
were  such  as  did  not  disgrace  the  alliance  of 
the  Duke  of  Beaufort  ;  her  inheritance  was  in- 
deed superior  to  what  he  had  a  right  to  expect, 
as  it  is  concluded  that  it  procures  her  some  re- 
spect from  the  man  on  whom  she  bestowed  it. 
But  alas  !  it  is  far  otherwise  ;  and  her  wealth 
is  only  thought  on  as  a  momenta  of  the  weak- 
ness by  which  she  forfeited  the  consideration  it 
ought  to  have  acquired  for  her." 

Louisa  expressing  a  wish  to  be  acquainted 
with  those  events  of  the  Dutchess's  life,  to  which 
she  alluded  ;  her  Grace  thus  resumed  : 

"  My  father  was  the  second  son  of  a  noble 
family,  but  of  indifferent  fortune  j  and  he  im- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  93 

proved  the  small  patrimony  left  him  by  my 
grandfather,  in  the  way  of  commerce,  to  such 
an  extent,  and  so  rapidly,  that  at  thirty-two  he 
was  enabled  not  only  to  support  a  wife,  but,  from 
his  large  fortune,  to  pretend  to,  and  obtain  the 
daughter  of  an  Irish  Peer.  With  this  Lady  he 
lived,  in  content  and  splendour,  for  twelve  years, 
when  she  died,  leaving  him  no  child  but  me, 
then  about  ten  years  old.  For  some  months 
previous  to  my  mother's  death,  nothing  but  her 
bad  state  of  health  had  prevented  my  father  go- 
ing to  the  East-Indies,  where  he  had  extensive 
business,  and  where  Ins  presence  was  now  be- 
come necessary.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the 
proper  rites,  not  of  sorrow  (for  my  mother, 
though  an  estimable  woman,  had  never  been 
very  tenderly  beloved)  but  of  decency,  were 
paid  her  memory,  he  placed  me  at  a  boarding- 
school  near  London,  and  sailed  for  India.  In 
about  two  years  he  returned  to  London,  consi- 
derably richer  than  when  he  went ;  and  taking  a 
superb  house,  brought  me  from  school  to  be  its 
mistress  ;  an  office  I  was  by  no  means  qualified 
for,  except  by  a  state  for  expence,  and  all  sorts 
of  gaiety.  I  had  enjoyed  the  sweets  of  unbound- 
ed sway,  in  the  mansion  of  my  parent,  little 
more  than  a  year,  when  my  father  married  a 
N 


94  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

lady  whom  he  had  known  in  Bengal,  and  who 
had  come  over  from  India  in  the  same  ship 
with  him. 

"  This  lady,  who  was  the  widow  of  a  Mr. 
Rayner,  possessed  a  large  fortune,  a  fine  person, 
and  was  not  above  six  and  thirty  ;  but  she  had 
a  proud  and  imperious  spirit,  with  a  heart  by- 
no  means  flowing  with  the  milk  of  human  kind- 
ness ;  so  that  you  may  imagine  she  took  no 
pains  to  soften  my  sense  of  the  degradation  I 
must  naturally  suffer,  when  my  step-mother 
took  possession  of  that  place  at  the  head  of  my 
father's  household,  for  many  months  occupied 
by  me.  I,  who  was  by  nature  almost  as  haugh- 
ty as  herself,  but  ill  brooked  the  mortifications 
the  new  Mrs.  Maynard  hourly  made  me  suffer, 
and  my  resentment,  when  I  dared  to  give  it  ut- 
terance, only  rendered  them  more  frequent  and 
intolerable. 

"  Ah,  my  Louisa,  how  do  young  people,  who 
have  never  known  calamity,  repine  at  events, 
which,  when  more  conversant  with  the  world 
and  its  sorrows,  they  look  back  to  as  trifles,  in 
comparison  with  present  evils.  The  contemp- 
tuous treatment,  and  sometimes  the  asperity  of 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  95 

my  step-mother,  I  at  that  time  considered  as 
the  crudest  persecution  ;  and  though  my  father 
had  only  been  to  blame  in  making  me,  at  four- 
teen, mistress  of  his  house,  and  of  myself;  I 
was  rather  inclined  to  accuse  him  of  want  of  pa- 
ternal affection,  in  permitting  his  wife  to  check 
me  in  the  slightest  degree.  The  winter  follow- 
ing his  marriage  the  Duke  of  Beaufort  profess- 
ed himself  my  lover.  He  was  then  remarkably 
handsome,  and  every  way  qualified  to  make  an 
impression  on  my  heart.  It  was  true  that  he 
was  near  twice  my  own  age;  but  I  thought, 
like  most  girls,  that  chcumstance  encreasecl 
the  compliment  paid  to  my  attractions  by  his 
Grace's  proposals  ;  as  it  was  not  merely  an  in- 
experienced boy  whom  I  had  captivated.  You 
may  perhaps  wonder  when  I  tell  you,  that  the 
Duke  was,  immediately  on  declaring  himself, 
positively  rejected  by  my  father  ;  and  the  reason 
will  no  doubt  surprise  you,  when  I  inform  you, 
that  it  was  the  rank  of  my  suitor. 

1  My  Lord  Duke,'  said  my  father,  <  I  have  no 
objection  to  you  as  a  husband  to  my  daughter, 
except  that  you  are  not  a  trader.  I  know  what 
it  is  to  be  of  an  ancient  and  noble  family  :  once 
an   epithet  of  distinction  was  attached  to  my 


96  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

name,  but  I  never  knew  it  of  any  advantage  to 
me,  and  I  am  now  plain  Mr.  Thomas  Maynard. 
My  fortune  was  made  by  a  successful  attention 
to  commerce  ;  and  on  a  British  merchant  I 
mean  to  bestow  it  at  my  death.  Frances  shall 
inherit  my  wealth,  but  she  must  share  it  with 
a  husband,  who  will  not  look  down  on  her  as  the 
child  of  an  insignificant  cit.' 

"  My  father  repeated  all  this  to  me,  and  for- 
bid me  to  think  of  the  Duke  of  Beaufort  more  ; 
a  command  I  promised,  and,  at  that  time,  se- 
riously intended  to  obey.  My  resolution  was 
not,  however,  proof  against  the  arguments  of 
my  lover,  whenever  we  met  (which  he  contriv- 
ed should  be  frequent)  used  to  persuade  me  that 
I  injured  not  only  myself,  but  the  world  in  gene- 
ral, by  persisting  in  my  rejection  of  the  pro- 
posals he  made  me,  to  venture  to  the  borders  of 
Scotland,  with  him.  At  last  I. yielded  to  his  en- 
treaties, and  gave  him  a  solemn  promise  to  be 
his  whenever  I  had  it  in  my  power  to  do  so, 
vrithout  travelling  to  the  other  end  of  the  king- 
dom with  him  ;  an  imprudence  from  which  I 
stiil  shrunk.  For  two  months  that  we  remain- 
ed in  town  after  I  made  this  engagement  I  only 
saw  the  Duke  twice,  as  he  was  most  of  the  time 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  97 

on  a  visit  to  his  relations  in  Wales.  At  parting 
he  entreated  me  to  write  to  him  ;  but  this  I 
steadily  refused,  from  some  remaining  sense  of 
propriety  ;  insisting  also  that  he  should  not  at- 
tempt to  address  me  hy  letter,  on  pain  of  my 
renouncing  him  for  ever.  But  I  was  not  then 
aware  that  the  threat  I  made  use  of,  to  prevent 
his  holding  any  communication  with  me,  gave 
him  to  understand  how  entirely  my  heart  was 
devoted  to  him  ;  by  proving  in  what  light  I  con- 
sidered our  final  separation  :  that  I  believed  it 
a  punishment  for  the  most  daring  imprudence 
he  could  be  guilty  of,  that  of  attempting  to  in- 
troduce a  correspondence. 

11  In  the  beginning  of  June,  my  father  and 
Mrs.  Maynard  set  out  to  spend  some  time  with 
a  Mr.  Rayner,  (who  was  broiher-in-law  to  the 
latter)  and  took  me  with  them.  Mr.  Rayner's 
house  was  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Scottish 
borders,  in  the  county  of  Northumberland  ; 
and  as  I  had  never  been  so  far  north  before,  I 
was  much  pleased  with  the  total  difference  of 
tlie'country  there  and  about  London.  I  was 
just  at  that  age  when  novelty  is  most  gratifying, 
end  as  I  had  never  been  accustomed  to  rise 
early  at  home,    I  now  took  a  sort   of  childish 


$S  THE  ENGLISH  NUN*. 

pleasure  in  getting  up  several  hours  before  the 
rest  of  the  family,  and  walking  till  breakfast. 
In  one  of  those  rambles  the  Duke  of  Beaufort 
suddenly  presented  himself  to  my  astonished 
eyes  ;  and  having,  in  the  tenderest  manner  con- 
gratulated me  on  my  good  looks,  and  himself 
on  the  happiness  of  having  at  last  met  with  me  ; 
he  reminded  me  of  my  promise  to  give  him  my 
hand,  whenever  I  could  do  so  Avithout  impro- 
priety or  suspicion.  From  the  latter  I  knew 
we  were  secure  ;  and  I  endeavoured  to  stifle 
my  sense  of  the  former,  when  I  found  that  my 
lover  seemed  to  resent  the  objections  I  made  to 
his  plan  ;  which  was  this : — To  pursue  the 
walk  we  were  in,  which  led  through  a  wood  of 
about  two  hundred  yards  in  length,  to  the  house 
of  a  Scottish  clergyman,  whom,  as  I  found  af- 
terwards, the  Duke  had  prepared  to  be  ready 
to  unite  us. 

"  I  consented,  Louisa,  and  returned  to  Mr. 
Rayner's  a  wife.  Oh !  that  before  I  had  be- 
come such,  I  had  known  what  I  had  since  to 
endure.  But  it  could  not  be.  Trembling  with 
mixed  sensations  of  delight  and  fear,  I  entered 
the  breakfasting  parlour,  where  my  father  was 
sitting  with  the  rest  of  the  family,     As  the  tea 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  99 

was  already  poured  out,  Mr.  James  Rayner  (the 
son  of  our  host)  drew  a  chair  to  the  table  for 
me,  and  offered  to  take  off  my  cloak  ;  I  was 
too  much  agitated  to  reject  this  little  mark  of 
politeness,  which  produced  another  from  my 
father,  who  taking  both  my  hands,  began  to 
draw  off  my  gloves.  At  the  moment  he  did  so 
I  recollected  my  wedding  ring,  which  I  had  ne- 
glected to  take  from  my  finger  :  however,  as 
my  father  did  not  speak  of  it,  I  fondly  fancied 
it  had  been  unobserved,  and  when  I  put  my 
gloves  in  my  pocket  contrived  to  leave  the  ring 
there  also.  I  scarcely  knew  how  the  hour  of 
breakfast  passed  away,  but,  as  soon  as  it  was 
over,  I  returned  to  my  chamber.  In  about 
two  hours  my  father  came  to  me,  and  led  me 
down  to  the  library,  where  I  was  thunderstruck 
on  beholding  the  Duke  of  Beaufort.  My  own 
confusion  was  too  great  to  observe  his  ;  or  in- 
deed any  thing  else,  till  my  father  said  in  a 
stern  voice} 

i  My  Lord  Duke,  is  this  young  woman  your 
wife  ?' 

1  She  is,  Sir,'  said  the  Duke  modestly,  tho* 
with  firmness. 


100  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

'  And  what  do  you  intend  to  do  in  regard  to 
her  ?'  again  enquired  my  parent. 

1  Whatever  may  be  agreeable  to  her,  and 
my  father,'  answered  the  Duke,  bending  his 
knee  to  him,  as  he  pronounced  the  last  word. 
My  father  seemed  somewhat  struck  with  his 
manner,  yet  resolved  not  to  give  up  his  resent- 
ment. He  now  turned  to  me,  "  Frances,"  cri- 
ed he,  "  what  is  it  you  have  done  ?" 

1  That  which  has  not  disgraced  her,'  an- 
swered the  Duke  with  spirit,  answering  for  me  ; 
for,  in  truth,  I  was  unable  to  speak.  '  She  has 
accepted  the  hand  of  a  man  every  way  her 
equal,  and  her  husband  now  claims  her.'  Then 
opening  the  library  door,  he  called  aloud  for  the 
Dutchess  of  Braufort's  carriage.  He  took  my 
hand,  which  I  trembling  half  withdrew,  and 
looked  towards  my  father.  But  why  should  I 
weary  you,  my  dear  Louisa,  with  my  tale  ?  It 
is  enough  to  say,  that  my  lather  did  not  part 
with  me  till  I  was  forgiven,  and  on  that  day  I 
went  home  to  my  husband's  house. 

"  In  four  years  after  my  marriage  my  revear- 
ed  father  died,  and  bequeathed  the  whole  of 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  101 

his  fortune,  amounting-  to  above  two  hundred 
thousand  pounds,  to  the  Duke  :  giving  it  as  a 
reason  for  making  him  his  heir,  that  as  I  had 
once  proved  myself  a  disobedient  daughter,  I 
might  perhaps,  if  left  independent  of  my  hus- 
band, prove  an  imprudent  wife.  My  father 
had  always  been  accounted  a  humourist,  and 
perhaps  he  shewed  himself  one  in  this  instance  ; 
but  I  am  certain,  that  had  he  ever  conceived 
that  the  two  of  my  children  most  beloved  would 
be  made  miserable  without  my  having  the  pow- 
er to  save  them,  he  would  never  have  made  such 
a  disposition  of  his  wealth." 

Three  days  after  the  Dutchess  had  given 
Louisa  this  little  history  of  herself,  the  latter 
left  London,  attended  by  Mrs.  Chedley  and  her 
husband,  a  decent  reputable  man.  They  had 
received  orders  not  to  abandon  the  fair  charge 
till  she  arrived  in  Lisbon,  when  they  were  to 
return  to  the  Dutchess.  Louisa  felt  sensibly 
all  the  value  of  this  kind  attention  in  her  friend  ; 
and  did  not  decline  it,  as  she  really  found  her- 
self unequal  to  encountering  alone  the  task  she 
had  to  perform. 

For  the  two  first  days  that  Louisa  travelled 
O 


102  THE  ENGLISH  NUN". 

towards  Falmouth,  she  was  too  much  occupied 
with  regret  for  leaving  her  maternal  friend,  to 
feel  much  the  painful  idea  of  abandoning  her 
native  land  :  She  had  never  been  in  the  West 
of  England  before,  and  the  novelty  of  the  scenes 
tiiat  presented  themselves  interested  her  curio- 
sity ;  and  she  then  reflected,  that  she  was  only 
to  pass  through  this  beautiful  country  in  order 
to  bid  it  an  everlasting  farewell.  So  long  as 
she  could  rest  her  eyes  on  the  green  hills  of 
Devon,  she  thought  she  had  not  entirely  for- 
saken the  scenes  she  had  been  accustomed  to 
behold  ;  but  when  they  faded  in  the  distance, 
and  she  looked  round  on  the  barren  lands  of 
Cornwall,  she  thought  her  banishment  already 
as  compleat  as  if  she  had  been  immured  in  the 
walls  of  a  convent. 

At  length  the  carriage  entered  the  town  of 
Falmouth,  and  Louisa  anxious  to  complete  a 
disagreeable  task,  immediately  sent  for  the 
Master  of  the  packet,  that  she  had  heard  was 
to  sail  the  next  morning.  On  her  mention- 
ing to  the  Captain  her  intention  of  taking  her 
passage  with  hi;n,  he  said,  "  I  am  already  pre- 
pared for  your  accommodation  ;  it  is  about  an 
hour  since  your  servant  agreed  for  your  pas- 
sage, his  own,  and  that  of  a  female  attendant." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  los 

Louisa  now  recollected  having  seen  Chedley 
pass  the  chaise  on  horseback,  within  a  few  miles 
of  Falmouth,  and  she  doubted  not  he  had  gone 
forward  to  bespeak  the  packet,  by  the  direc- 
tions of  the  Dutchess.  She  now  remembered 
(what  had  not  occurred  to  her  before,  and  which 
her  extreme  agitation  of  mind  and  ignorance 
of  travelling  had  prevented  noticing)  that  she 
had  never  been  called  upon  for  monty  on  the 
road  ;  and  felt  doubly  grateful  to  the  Dutchess, 
for  this  last  act  of  polite  attention,  which  had 
saved  her  so  much  trouble.  Louisa  now  re- 
ceived the  Captain's  directions  to  be  ready  to 
repair  on  board  at  day  dawn  ;  and  as,  at  this 
season  of  the  year  (July)  there  is  very  little 
night,  and  as,  at  this  time,  even  that  little  was 
rendered  as  brilliant  as  the  day  by  a  full  moon, 
she  determined  not  to  go  to  bed  at  all.  About 
eleven  o'clock  Louisa  left  the  house,  and  de- 
scended into  a  little  garden  belonging  to  the 
Mistress  of  the  inn,  which  overhung  the  sea, 
in  order  to  spend  the  remaining  hours  before 
she  was   summoned  on  board  the  ship. 

This  was  the  only  time  of  her  life  that 
Louisa  could  have  adopted  a  measure  so  incon- 
sistent with  her  own  sense  of  propriety  ;  but 
she  h*d  no  idea  of  there  being   any  personal 


104  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

danger  in  her  taking  a  moonlight  walk  in  the 
garden  ;  and  as  to  its  imprudent  appearance,  as 
it  was  the  last  night  she  was  to  spend  in  Eng- 
land, she  thought  that  of  very  little  consequence. 

For  about  two  hours  she  wandered  among 
the  flowering  shrubs  of  her  good  hostess  ; 
sometimes  reposing  herself  on  a  wooden  seat, 
that  was  placed  just  on  the  point  of  a  cliff  above 
the  sea,  which  was  now  almost  covered  with 
fishing-boats  ;  and  at  a  distance  she  could  de- 
scry the  ship  in  which  she  was  to  sail  on  the 
morrow.  But  Louisa  turned  from  the  ocean, 
and  in  vain  strained  her  eyes  in  the  hope  of  be- 
holding on  land,  some  object  that  interested 
her  :  she  beheld  none  ;  she  saw  only  through 
the  white  mist,  that  a  heavy  dew  caused  all 
along  the  shore,  the  dubious  shapes  of  the  hills 
of  Cornwall.  A  little  after  one  o'clock  Louisa 
returned  into  the  house  ;  when  she  arrived  at 
the  little  wicket  of  the  garden,  she  was  sur- 
prised to  meet  a  stranger,  who  appeared  to 
have  been  walking  as  well  as  herself,  though 
she  had  not  seen  him  till  now.  He  bowed  po- 
litely, but  in  silence,  as  he  opened  the  gate  to 
let  her  pass  through  ;  and  she  concluded  that 
he  was  some  person,  who,  being  to  sail  ,;n  thp 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  105 

packet  in  the  morning,  bad  chosen  to  spend  the 
night  in  walking. 

At  the  hour  of  four  the  lovely  destined  exile 
received  an  intimation  that  the  boat  waited  to 
convey  her  on  board,  and  with  mild  dejection 
and  reluctance  she  repaired  to  the  shore  with 
her  two  attendants.  Louisa  felt  a  pang,  for 
which  she  scarcely  knew  how  to  account,  as  she 
stepped  into  the  boat,  and  sighed.  Another 
deep  sigh  seemed  to  answer  her's,  and  she 
looked  round  to  see  from  whence  it  came  ;  but 
the  sailors  and  common  passengers  who  were 
now  crouding  into  the  boat,  with  the  dim  gray 
light  of  the  morning,  would  not  permit  her  to 
see  any  thing  distinctly.  She  was  soon  seated 
very  commodiously  between  Mrs.  Chedley  and 
the  Captain  of  the  Packet,  and  the  boat  put  off. 

As  they  proceeded  the  sea  began  to  glow 
with  the  brightness  of  the  dawn,  and  at  length 
Louisa  beheld  the  dazzling  sun-beams  playing 
on  the  gently  ruffled  surface  of  the  ocean,  and 
striking  in  a  strong  blaze  on  the  already  loosen- 
ed sails  of  the  packet.  This  was  the  last  sun- 
rise she  would  probably  ever  behold  in  England, 
and  as  the  wind  was  fair  and  pretty  fresh,  it  re- 
newed her  deep  regret. 


106  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

It  is  thus  that  we  are  too  apt,  mournfully  to 
linger  over  those  objects  we  see  for  the  last 
time,  though  the  view  of  them  is  productive  of 
anguish  ;  and  though  we  know  that  our  peace, 
in  a  great  degree,  depends  on  our  never  behold- 
ing them  more,  it  is  the  greatest  effort  of  reso- 
lution to  tear  one's  self  away.  Once  determin- 
ed, however,  Louisa  was  obliged  to  make  no 
Farther  exertions,  the  packet  scudded  before 
the  breeze,  and  had  she  wi  htd  to  return,  it 
would  not  have  been  in  her  power. 

At  length  Louisa  beheld,  from  the  deck,  the 
stupendous  rock  of  Lisbon,  and  soon  afterwards 
the  varied  shores  of  the  Tagus,  with  the  city 
extended  along  them,  she  even  fancied  she 
could  discern  the  English  Convent,  whither 
she  was  going.  As  she  passed  under  the  rock, 
and  was  taking  leave  of  the  vast  extent  of  ocean, 
she  repeated  a  thousand  adieus  to  England,  and 
then  fixing  her  eyes  on  what  she  believed  to  be 
her  destined  residence,  she  hailed  it,  in  imagin- 
ation, as  her  asylum  and  resting  place. 

It  is  needless  to  relate  any  more,  than  that 
she  wars  readily  admitted  a  member  of  the 
English  Nunnery ;  and  at  her  own  request  her 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  107 

novitiate  was  dispensed  with,  and  the  two  ce- 
remonies of  her  receiving  the  white  and  the 
black  veil,  were  to  take  place  at  the  same  time, 
at  the  distance  of  three  days. 

During  this  interval  Louisa  attempted  seve- 
ral times  to  write  to  the  Dutchess;  but  she 
found  the  task  a  difficult  one,  and  it  was  only 
in  the  evening  preceding  her  profession  that  she 
wrote  the  following  lines,  and  delivered  them  to 
Airs.  Chedley,  who  was  to  leave  Lisbon  as  soon 
.as  the  solemn  ceremony  had  taken  place. 

TO   HER    GRACE 

THE  DUTCHESS    OF  BEAUFORT. 

"  To-morrow,  my  revered  benefactress,  to- 
morrow I  abjure  the  tumultuous  pleasures  of 
the  world,  and  its  active  miseries  for  ever.  To- 
morrow that  grate  will  close  on  me  that  will 
shut  me  from  liberty,  my  friends,  and  country, 
as  effectually  as  that  one  will  do,  which  in  a  few 
years  will  close  on  my  lifeless  remains  ;  I  hail 
the  former,  but  the  latter  would  be  more  wel- 
come to  me,  since  it  would  shut  out  memory, 
that  never-ceasing  torment,  which  stings  the 
heart  most  keenly,  even  in  the  tranquil  abodes 
of  religion  and  nominal  peace.     Before  I  aban- 


108  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

don  the  world,  il  is  fit  that  I  discharge  all  obli- 
gations I  owe  in  it,  which  are  of  a  nature  to  be 
discharged.  Such  is  my  pecuniary  debt  to  you, 
and  as  your  servant  has  declined  receiving  it,  I 
shall  now  enclose  it.  The  worthy  and  atten- 
tive Mrs,  Chedley  will  convey  to  you  a  small 
memorial  of  your  Louisa.  There  can  now  be 
no  vanity  in  sending  you  (unasked)  a  portrait  of 
myself,  drawn  at  a  time  when  I  was  thought  to 
possess  some  personal  attractions ;  the  shadow 
of  them  is  now  all  that  remains,  and  I  wish 
you  sometimes  to  remember  that  such  a  being 
as  myself  once  existed. 

I  have  stolen  the  time  in  which  I  wrote  this 
from  prayer  and  preparation  ;  and  it  is  fit  that 
I  return  to  the  performance  of  those  awful  du- 
ties ;  yet  I  ftel  unwilling  to  lay  down  my  pen, 
while  my  gratitude  is  yet  unexpressed  :  But  why 
should  I  attempt  an  impossibility  ?  I  cannot  ex- 
press my  feelings — I  can  only  bid  you  adieu. — 
Adieu,  then,  dearest  and  most  revered  of  wo- 
men : — Sister  Louisa  must  cease  to  think  of  the 
attachments  of  this  world  ;  but  tell  your  son, 
that  the  last  thought  cf  Louisa  Percy  shall  be 
for  him.  All  my  future  thoughts  must  be  of 
heaven."  LOUISA. 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  10!) 

On  the  following  morning,  with  a  composed 
and  pious  dignity,  that  was  almost  saintly,  did 
the  young,  beautiful  and  unfortunate  Lady 
Louisa  Percy  accept  the  veil  which  admitted 
her  a  novice,  and  a  few  minutes  after,  that 
which  constituted  her  a  nun.  She  had  chosen 
to  have  the  latter  ceremony  take  place  immedi- 
ately, that  when  Lord  Edward  was  informed 
whither  she  had  retired,  he  might  at  the  same 
time  learn  that  her  destiny  was  unchangable  ; 
and  thence  be  more  quickly  reconciled  to  their 
eternal  separation* 

On  the  evening  after  she  received  the  follow- 
ing letter : 

«'  Now,  indeed,  Louisa,  most  beloved  of  my 
soul,  I  will  bid  you  an  eternal  adieu  !  Till  now 
it  has  been  no  crime  to  cherish  my  adoration 
of  you  ;  to  hover  round  you,  and  sometimes 
endeavour  to  catch  a  transient  view  of  a  form 
so  adored  ;  and  I  have  hitherto  indulged  in  the 
comparative  happiness  of  being  near  you.  Sad 
enjoyment  ! — I  must  now  no  more  hope  to 
Lang  over  your  sick  couch,  and  while  an  angel 
in  the  maternal  character  soothed  my  apprehen- 
sive agonies,  with  promises  of  your  recovery, 
P 


210  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

watch  that  lovely  and  interesting  countenance. 
I  must  no  longer  attend  your  moonlight  walks, 
or  even  in  disguise  listen  to  the  magic  of  your 
voice,  though  obliged  to  preserve  a  careful  si- 
lence, lest  my  own  should  betray  me.  I  must 
never  more  please  myself  with  the  thought,  that 
only  a  thin  partition  divides  me  from  Louisa, 
that,  in  case  of  danger,  I  can  be  ready  to  assist 
her — or,  happier  still,  perish  with  her. 

"  I  have  seen  you  for  the  last  time,  Louisa. 
I  have  seen  you  devote  yourself  to  God  ;  and  I 
will  no  longer  seek  to  draw  your  thoughts  from 
Him,  to  a  wretch  like  me  : — Yet,  sometimes 
remember  me  ! — Sometimes  recollect  how  I 
have  loved  you  ; — or,  if  that  would  too  deeply 
wound  your  peace,  think  how  I  have  given  you 
up.  Be  happy,  angelic  Louisa,  though  to  be 
so  you  must  hate  your 

EDWARD  LUMLEY." 

LISBON. 

Louisa  wept  sadly  over  this  billet ;  but  resig- 
nation soon  conquered  her  regrets  ;  or  at  least 
taught  her  not  to  indulge  them.  She  never  for- 
got her  affectionate  gratitude  to  the  Dutchess 
of  Beaufort ;  though  her  affections  were  after- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  Ill 

wards  divided  between  her  and  a  young  lady  of 
a  most  amiable  disposition,  who  resided  for  two 
years  in  the  Convent,  and  who  only  left  it  to  be 
united  to  Mr.  Clifford,  an  English  gentleman 
of  rank  and  fortune,  who  took  Lady  Emmeline 
with  him,  to  her  native  country  and  his  own. 

TO  LADY  EMMELINE  CLIFFORD. 

ENGLISH    CONVt.NT,    LISBON. 

<{  How  strange  does  it  seem  to  me  to  address 
myself  to  my  Emmeline,  and  to  know  that  it 
must  be  a  long,  long  time  before  she  can  see 
what  I  write  ;  or  I  receive  from  her  that  tender 
sympathy  wont  to  sooth  my  sorrows,  and  teach 
me  to  bear  up  against  calamity  past,  and  irre- 
mediable for  the  future.  You  are  by  this  time 
in  England.  Alas  !  what  would  not  I  give,  in- 
dependent of  the  pleasures  of  your  society,  to 
revisit  that  land,  dear  to  me  alike  from  custom 
and  from  sentiment.  Absurd  as  is  the  idea,  I 
have  often  detected  myself  in  cherishing  the 
hope  that  some  unforeseen  event  might  lead  me 
onee  more  to  my  country.     Like  Goldsmith, 

u  In  all  my  wanderings  thro'  this  world  of  care, 
u  In  all  my  griefs,  and  Gcd  has  given  me  share  ! 
"  I  still  had  hopes  my  latest  hours  to  crown, 
M  And  in  those  peaceful  bow'rs  to  lay  me  down." 


112  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  But  wherever  I  lay  me,  my  bed  will  be 
strewed  with  thorns  ;  for  where  is  the  oblivious 
cup  that  will  annihilate  memory  ?  Cure  me  of 
that,  and  your  affectionate  wishes  for  my  hap- 
piness might  perhaps  be  successful.  As  it  is,  I 
must  be  miserable  !  My  sufferings  are  not  self- 
ish ;  they  are  more  for  others  than  myself. 
Pluck  the  barbed  arrow  of  unavailing  regret 
from  the  noble  heart  of  Edward  Lumley,  and 
mine  may  then  taste  of  peace. 

"  At  the  time  when  you  bade  adieu  to  Portu- 
gal, and  to  me,  I  stood  on  the  terrace,  and 
watched  the  vessel  in  which  you  were,  while  it 
remained  in  view.  Not  a  breeze  from  the  shore, 
that  swelled  the  whitening  sails,  bul  bore  with 
it  some  good  wishes  for  my  Emmeline  ;  but 
when  distance  and  the  shades  of  evening  conceal- 
ed it  from  my  sight,  my  tears  could  no  longer 
be  restrained  ;  and  I  returned  to  my  Convent, 
a  prey  to  the  bitterest  regret,  I  visited  every 
spot,  where  I  had  seen  you,  and  still  remem- 
brance 

"  Throbs  at  my  breast,  and  turns  the  past  to 
pain." 

"  On  going  to  my  cell,  where  you  may  re- 
member we  sat,  the  evening  before    ycur  de« 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  113 

parture,  the  open  piano  forte  caught  my  eye. 
On  the  desk  was  your  music  book  (which  you 
forgot  to  take  with  you)  laid  open  at  that  sim- 
ple air, 

"  The  last  time  I  came  o'er  the  muir." 

When  last  I  heard  you  sing  it,  I  remem- 
ber I  wept ;  but  now  I  could  not.  My  for- 
saken country,  my  unhappy  fate,  and  not  less 
lamented  Emmeline,  rushed  all  at  once  in- 
to my  mind,  and  filled  my  heart  with  anguish. 
I  took  possession  of  the  chair  in  which  you  had 
sat,  and  gave  myself  up  to  sorrow.  Every  thing 
destined  to  remind  me  of  you  :  Taking  out  my 
handkerchief  to  wipe  away  the  tears  that  had 
at  last  relieved  me,  something  fell  to  the  ground  : 
It  was  Edward's  picture,  which,  I  recollected 
I  took  from  my  neck  to  shew  you  the  morning 
we  parted,  and  had  been  too  much  occupied  by 
sorrow  to  replace.  The  features  seemed  more 
than  usually  melancholy,  and  I  thought  I  be- 
held him  sympathizing  in  my  distress. 

"  You  often  asked  me  for  an  explanation  of 
my  enthusiasm  regarding  this  portrait,  which  I 
often  refused   you.     My  reason   for  doing  so 


114  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

was,  that  I  believed  it  would  be  unkind  to  em- 
bitter that  happiness  you  seemed  to  enjoy, 
by  a  retrospect  of  past  events ; — but,  like 
Sterne's  master  of  the  ass,  "  I  thought  so  when 
you  were  with  me ;  but  now  you  are  gone  I 
think  otherwise."  And  I  now  rejoice,  that 
even  in  the  sad  moment  of  separation,  I  had 
resolution  to  relate  my  mournful  tale.  May  I 
now,  Emmeline — oris  it  a  crime  to  enquire  af- 
ter Lumley  ?  Mr.  Clifford  knows  him,  for  I  well 
remember  having  heard  Edward,  in  my  happy 
days,  speak  of  him  with  affection  and  esteem. 
You  may  see  him  I  He  may  speak  to  you  of 
me  !  Tell  him,  then,  that  his  Louisa,  in  sorrow 
and  restraint,  still  thinks  on  him  with  unabated 
tenderness. — Though,  no — tell  him  not  so.  I 
am  a  nun.  Perhaps  I  am  wrong  to  let  you  see 
so  much  of  my  weakness,  but  I  will  not  erase 
what  I  have  written  ;  for  I  would  not  owe  your 
approbation  to  an  ignorance  of  my  thoughts. 
Adieu,  my  dear  Emmeline — let  not  Mr.  Clifford 
forget  that  he  possesses  a  friend  in  your 
Jan.  15th.  LOUISA  PERCY." 

The  fair  writer  of  the  preceding  letter  had 
now  been  seven  years  a  professed  nun.  In  that 
time  but  few  changes  had  taken  place  in  her 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  115 

and  none  in  her  destiny.  The  glow  of  youth 
and  health,  were  wont  to  mantle  on  her  cheek, 
sorrow,  not  time,  had  chased  from  thence  ;  the 
sparkling  brilliancy  of  her  eyes  had  given  place 
to  a  soft  sadness  of  expression,  that  rendered 
her,  to  a  soul  of  sensibility,  a  much  more  in- 
teresting object  at  this  period,  than  when,  in 
the  first  bloom  of  beauty  she  made  her  entre  in- 
to fashionable  life. 

She  was  now  something  more  than  twenty- 
five,  rather  thinner  than  she  had  been,  and  too 
much  so  for  the  perfect  model  of  a  woman  ; 
but  still  her  figure,  from  being  a  little  wasted, 
had  gained  a  look  of  delicacy  and  fragility, 
which  did  not  make  her  less  lovely.  Those 
who  admired  beauty,  would  say,  that  her  ap- 
pearance was  changed  for  the  worse  ;  those  who 
felt  it,  and  felt  all  the  numberless  charms  of 
suffering  virtue  and  resignation,  would  decide, 
that  if  any  alteration  had  taken  place  in  Louisa, 
it  was  one  by  no  means  unfavourable  to  her. 

In  those  with  whom  she  was  connected  in 
England,  greater  changes  had  taken  place.  The 
Duke  of  Beaufort  was  dead,  and  being  displeas- 
ed with  his  two  eldest  sons,  had  left  Lord  Ed- 


116  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

ward  one  of  his  principal  estates,  which  hap- 
pened to  be  in  his  own  power  to  bequeath  to 
whom  he  would.  But  Lord  Edward  lost  all 
wishes  to  possess  wealth,  since  it  could  not 
now  purchase  felicity  ;  his  Louisa  was  immur- 
ed in  a  cloister,  and  fortune  to  him  had  no 
charms. 

The  Dutchess  of  Beaufort  was  still  the  same 
amiable  creature  she  had  ever  been  ;  but  durin°* 
the  three  years  that  had  elapsed  since  she  be- 
came a  widow,  she  was  little  less  happy  than 
she  had  been,  except  that  she  could  now  in- 
dulge her  sorrows  unreproved  by  the  gloomy 
or  arrogant  tyranny  of  a  husband,  who  often 
insulted  her  with  that  imprudent  attachment  to 
him,  which  had  procured — for  him,  immense 
wealth  to  gratify  his  avarice — for  her,  misery 
and  dependence. 

It  happened,  that  on  the  very  evening  when 
Lady  Emmeline  received  the  letter,  which 
brought  her  intelligence  of  her  beloved  Louisa, 
she  was  engaged  to  attend  a  large  route  at  the 
house  of  her  relation,  Mrs.  Olland.  She  would 
have  declined  going  on  account  of  low  spirits, 
occasioned  by  the  letter  she  received  ;  but  Mr. 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  117 

Clifford,  ever  kind  and  attentive,  insisted  that 
she  should  rather  seek  in  company  to  dissipate 
that  gloom  which  hung  over  her.  Lady  Em- 
meline complied  ;  but  as  she  found  herself  un- 
able to  join  in  cheerful  conversation,  she  retir- 
ed into  a  small  apartment,  where  one  of  her 
cousins,  the  Miss  Ollands,  was  entertaining  a 
select  circle  with  playing  on  the  pedal  harp, 
accompanied  with  her  voice.  The  song  she 
was  singing  happened  to  be  that  old  and  simple 
air,  "  Mary's  Lamentation."  Lady  Emmeline 
had  often  heard  it  sung  by  her  friend  Louisa, 
and  it  brought  to  her  mind  in  the  strongest 
manner,  the  amiable  recluse.  Rousing  herself 
from  a  reverie  into  which  she  had  insensibly 
fallen,  she  now  looked  round  the  company,  and 
her  eye  immediately  distinguished  one  from 
the  rest.  It  was  a  young  man  in  a  military 
dress,  very  tall,  and  strikingly  elegant  in  his 
figure,  who  was  leaning  pensive  against  a  pil- 
lar of  the  window  frame.  In  his  pale  and  de- 
jected countenance  (which  plainly  shewed  that 
he  was  not  thinking  of  the  song  nor  the  singer) 
Lady  Emmeline  fancied  she  saw  something 
which  authorised  her  to  say  to  herself,  "  Surely 
that  is  a  person  whom  1  ought  to  know." 
Miss  OUand  when  she  had  finished  her  song, 

Q 


118  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

struck  the  strings  in  a  gay  measure,  and  the 
young  gentleman  appeared  to  awake  from  a  re- 
verie ; — he  sighed  as  he  quitted  the  place  he 
had  occupied,  and  left  the  room  ;  which  was 
soon  after  deserted  by  every  one  but  Lady  Era- 
meline  ;  she  was  also  going  to  leave  it,  when 
Mr.  Clifford,  accompanied  by  the  melancholy 
young  officer,  came  up  to  her,  and  the  former, 
having  introduced  the  stranger  as  Lord  Edward 
Lumley,  left  them  together. 

For  some  moments  both  were  silent  ;  Lady 
Emmeline  dreaded  his  introducing  a  subject 
on  which  her  spirits  would  not  allow  her  to  con- 
verse without  tears  ;  and  Lord  Edward  was 
evidently  deliberating  in  what  manner  he  could 
best  introduce  it.  But  his  mind  was  too  much 
occupied  for  him  to  give  much  thought  to  ce- 
remony, and  he  at  length  said,  in  a  voice  and 
with  a  manner  that  inexpressibly  affected  his 
auditor,  "  Clifford  told  me,  that  his  Emmeline 
was  gentle  and  compassionate — may  I  then 
speak  to  her  as  a  friend  ?" 

"  As  a  sincere,  a  warm  one,  Lord  Edward," 
she  replied,  with  difficulty  concealing  her  emo» 
tion, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.   .  119 

"  You  have  been  in  Portugal,  Madam,"  he 
resumed,  "  in  Lisbon  I  believe  ?" 

"  I  have,  my  Lord  ;  I  was  educated  at  the 
English  Convent  in  that  city,"  she  answered. 

"  May  I  then,  Lady  Emmeline,  from  you 
enquire  for  Lady  Louisa  Percy  ? — How  is  she  ? 
—Is  she  happy  ? — Does  she  forget " 

His  voice  faultered,  and  Lady  Emmeline  re- 
turned, "  She  is  well ;  and  if  not  happy,  is  at 
least  contented  !" 

"  She  is  blest  indeed,"  cried  Lord  Edward, 
with  quickness,  "  in  a  memory  so  little  reten- 
tive !  Would  to  God  1  had  some  charm  to  banish 
recollection  ;  then,  I  too,  if  not  happy,  might 
be  at  least  contented." 

Lady  Emmeline  at  first  felt  a  little  hurt  at  his 
thus  repeating  her  words  ;  but  pique  was  im- 
mediately lost  in  her  pity  for  his  sorrows,  and 
she  said,  "  The  present  serenity  ot  Lady  Louisa 
proceeds  from  a  consciousness  of  having  done 
right,  and  from  the  mild  comforts  of  religion. 
Time  may  reconcile  one  to  any  thing,  and  she 


i 20  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

has  felt  its  lenient  influence  in  favour  of  a  mode 
of  life  so  essentially  necessary  to  her  own  peace, 
and  that  of  those  whom  she  esteems  :  but  the 
task  of  forgetting  she  has  not  yet  learned,  since 
her  chief  source  of  pleasure  arises  in  the  happi- 
ness of  those  she  loves,  amongst  whom.  you, 
Lord  Edward,  are  not  the  least  valued,  and  she 
wishes  for  nothing  more  than  to  hear  you  are 
happy." 

"  That  can  never  be  !"  said  Lord  Edward, 
in  a  low  and  melancholy  tone. — "  Destitute  of 
enjoyment,  separated  from  all  my  soul  holds 
dear,  I  can  never  hope  to  be  less  wretched  than 
at  present.  Since  the  rumour  of  a  war  proves 
false,  and  I  have  lost  all  hopes  from  my  pro- 
fession, I  will  to-morrow  resign  my  commis- 
sion, and,  perhaps,  endeavour,  by  change  of 
place,  to  lose  reflection.  But,  whilst  I  remain 
in  England,  will  the  gentle  Emmeline  Clifford 
permit  me  to  visit  her  I" 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Lady  Emmeline,  in  a 
voice  that  her  emotions  of  pity  for  him  render- 
ed scarcely  audible.  Lord  Edward  observed 
how  much  she  was  affected. 

"  My  sweet  friend,"  said  he,  taking  her  hand, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  121 

«  why  are  these  tears  ?     Do  they  indeed  flow 
in  pity  for  me  ?" 

"  Alas  !"  exclaimed  Lady  Emmeline,  not  re- 
garding him,  "  why  am  I  destined  to  behold 
those  I  most  esteem  hopelessly  wretched." 

"  Oh  I"  cried  he,  with  warmth,  "  you  are 
indeed  the  friend  of  Louisa  !"  And  after  a 
pause,  he  added,  "  I  do  not  think  that  you  will 
long  be  troubled  with  my  visits.  A  mind  ill  at 
ease  cannot  endure  the  quiet  of  home  ;  and  I 
believe  in  the  spring  I  shall  go  over  to  Switzer- 
land. It  is  six  years  since  I  have  been  there, 
and  when  I  was,  many  things  passed  unnoticed 
which  I  should  be  glad  to  see  again." 

"  I  wish  I  could  go  with  you,"  said  Lady  Em- 
meline, pleased  to  hear  him  speak  more  com- 
posedly than  he  had  done  ;  H  I  should  like  to 
travel  through  Switzerland,  to  trace  out  all  the 
haunts  of  Rousseau,  and  to  visit  those  places 
which  he  has  immortalized." 

"  There  was  a  time,"  rejoined  Lord  Edward, 
"  when  I  too  should  have  found  pleasure  in  what 
you  describe ;  but  it  is   long  since  past :  and 


122  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

les  afjligeantes  Reveries  of  my  friend  Rousseau 
have  ceased  to  affect  me.  Yet  I  have  a  sort  of 
veneration  for  his  country,  as  the  abode  of  free- 
dom and  simple  felicity.  To  behold  a  happy 
family  I  should  not  regret  the  fatigue  of  climb- 
ing the  Alps,  if,  on  their  snowy  summits  I 
could  meet  one  man  who  thought  himself  blest ; 
I  would  take  up  my  abode  with  him,  nor  once 
look  back  with  a  wish  to  the  peaceful  vale." 

"  Then  certainly,"  said  Lady  Emmeline5 
"  you  should  be  fond  of  England." 

"  As  my  native  country  I  am.  But  the  con- 
trast that  it  every  moment  presents  between  the 
present  time  and  the  past,  is  too  wounding  to 
the  feelings  irrascible  by  nature,  and  rendered 
moreso  by  affliction." 

"  Come,"  said  Lady  Emmeline,  "  fortune 
has  smiles  in  store  for  us,  and  these  her  frowns 
are  meant  to  brighten  them." 

She  made  this  little  quotation  with  an  air  of 
cheerfulness,  which  Lord  Edward  knew  the 
heart  too  well  to  believe  was  real  ;  and  the  ex- 
pression of  her  features,  though  they  wore  a 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  123 

smile  of  pretended  hilarity,  betrayed  only  the 
tenderest  compassion  for  woes  she  could  not  re- 
lieve.    Lord  Edward  replied. 

"  That  her  smiles  may  ever  be  lavished  on 
you,  Emmelinc,  is  my  belief,  as  well  as  my 
fervent  wish.  But,  my  gentle  friend,  cease  to 
flatter  me  with  the  hope  of  returning  peace. 
Good  night,"  he  added,  in  so  low  a  tone  as 
scarcely  to  be  heard)  and  hurried  away. 

Lady  Emmeline  immediately  returned  home; 
and  the  following  morning,  as  she  was  sitting 
alone  in  her  dressing-room,  Lord  Edward 
Lumley  was  announced.  He  immediately  ob- 
served, that  she  appeared  unwell,  and  affection- 
ately taking  her  hand,  said, 

"  You  are  ill,  Lady  Emmeline  ;  my  conver- 
sation with  you  last  night  was  too  much  for  your 
spirits  ;  and  for  a  heart  trembling  alive  as 
your's  appear  to  be,  to  feel  the  afflictions  of 
others." 

"  My  spirits  are  rather  depressed,"  returned 
Lady  Emmeline,  "  and  were  so  before  I  went 
out  last  night :  but  when  my  cold  is  better  they 
will  grow  better  also.'^ 


124  •  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  Well,  my  amiable  friend,"  said  Lumley, 
with  a  smile,  "  my  melancholy  shall  no  longer 
distress  you,  as  we  shall  not  meet  for  a  long 
time." 

"  Did  you  not  promise,  Lord  Edward,  to  visit 
me,  while  you  remain  ir\ England?"  inquired 
she. 

«  This  day,"  returned  he,  "  will  be  the  last 
of  my  stay.     When  Clifford  last  night  inform- 
ed me  of  his  marriage   with  you,  and  that  you 
were  a  friend  of  my  Louisa's,  I  imagined  that 
in  your  society  I  should  be  comparatively  hap- 
py ;   for,  to  you,  I  could  talk  of  Louisa  :  but  I 
find,  that  to  do  so  only  increases  my    misery, 
and  I  will  bid  you  adieu.     I  had  hoped  to  have 
introduced  my  mother  to  you,  but  she  is   at 
present  confined  by  illness.     Will  you,  Emme- 
line,  condescend  to  visit  her,  without  the  for- 
mality of  her  waiting  on  you  ;  And  will  you 
write  to  me  while  I  remain  abroad  ?    Clifford 
authorized  me  to  make  the  request ;  and  I  hope 
that,  therefore,  you  will  indulge  me." 

He  appeared  afraid  to  cease  speaking  while 
he  had  any  thing  to  say,  lest  he  should  not  be 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  125 

able  to  renew  the  speech  ;  and  now,  having 
received  Lady  Emmeline's  promise  to  comply 
with  his  desire  of  a  correspondence,  he  kissed 
her  hand,  and  without  having  power  to  pro- 
nounce another  word,  he  left  the  room. 

On  the  following  morning  Lord  Edward  set 
out  for  France,  with  a  design  to  visit  Switzer- 
land, and  in  less  than  a  month  Lady  Emmeline 
accompanied  her  husband  to  Ireland,  where 
she  was  to  remain  for  two  years.  A  few  weeks 
after  she  arrived  if)  that  country,  she  received; 
the  following  letter  from  Louisa. 

TO  LADY  EMMELINE  CLIFFORD. 

"  When  last  I  wrote  to  my  Emmeline,  I 
thought  myself  as  much  fixed  in  this  place,  as 
are  the  walls  of  my  convent,  since  not  even 
deatli  would  lend  to  my  passing  its  gates.  Yet, 
from  intelligence  received  only  a  week  since,  I 
find  that  I  must  leave  Portugal  to  revisit  my 
native  country.  Yes,  Emmeline,  I  shall  again 
behold  the  shores  of  Britain,  again  linger  in  its 
fertile  scenes,  and  cnce  more  see  those  friends 
that  endear  it  to  me.  Why,  why  must  I  not 
hope  to  meet  my  Emmeline?  But  alas!  con- 
jugal duty  will  detain  her  in  Ireland  till  I  have 
R 


126  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

left  England  on  my  return  hither.  A  few  days 
ago,  I  received  intelligence  that  my  cousin. 
General  Somerset,  who  died  some  time  since, 
has  left  me  heiress  to  his  whole  property, 
which  once  belonged  to  my  family,  and  if  I  die 
without  children,  it  is  to  descend  to  the  present 
Earl  of  Montrose  ;  whose  letter  to  me  on  the 
occasion  I  will  transcribe  in  this  place. 

«  MADAM, 

"  As  the  copy  of  General  Somerset's  will, 
which  accompanies  this,  will  inform  you  of 
your  succession  to  his  fortune,  I  shall  not  en- 
ter into  any  discussion  of  the  bequest,  on  which 
I  most  sincerely  and  warmly  congratulate  you, 
but  merely  intimate  to  you,  that  you  should 
not  by  any  means  lose  time  in  coming  over  to 
England  to  take  possession  of  your  estate  j 
which,  otherwise,  may  be  contested  at  law  by 
the  more  distant  male  relations  of  his  family. 
Among  the  number  of  his  kinsmen,  I  am  my- 
self included  j  but  I  should  value  more  the  ho- 
nour of  being  admitted  in  the  number  of  your 
friends,  than  being  considered  as  his  heir. 
That  I  never  may  inherit  his  wealth,  is  my  fer- 
vent wish,  since  I  hope  to  see  your  Ladyship 
surrounded  by  your  children  ;  having  no  doubt 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  12'/ 

that  you  will  be  immediately  absolved  from  your 
tows.  One  of  my  principal  reasons  for  now 
writing-  to  you,  is  to  desire  your  permission  to 
exert  all  my  interest  at  the  Court  of  Rome,  to 
procure  a  dispensation  from  those  religious  en- 
gagements you  have  entered  into  at  Lisbon. — « 
And  now,  Madam,  permit  me  to  claim  your 
congratulations  in  return  for  mine,  on  my  re- 
cent marriage  with  one  of  the  most  amiable  of 
women.  I  should  be  happy  if  it  were  in  my 
power  to  offer  you  accommodations  in  my 
house  on  your  arrival  in  England  ;  but  my 
grandmother's  present  state  of  health  forbids 
my  leaving  this  place,  and  your  business  lies 
entirely  in  Kent.  Lady  Montrose  desires  me  to 
say,  that  she  hopes  soon,  in  person,  to  lay  claim 
to  your  friendship,  till  when  she  remains  as 
much  your's  as  your  affectionate  kinsman,  ccc. 

MONTROSE." 
Aberdeen,  April  7. 

Do  I  not  owe  it  to  this  generous  young  man, 
my  Emmeline,  to  go  over  to  secure  that  pro- 
perty, which  will  eventually  be  his?  I  will  own 
to  you,  that  when  I  first  saw  Lord  Montrose's 
letter  a  tide  of  joy  rushed  to  my  heart,  and  I 
involuntary   exclaimed,    "Oh!    dear  Edward^ 


128  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

thy  constancy  will  now  be  rewarded,  and  my 
■tenderness  shall  banish  the  remembrance  of  thy 
sufferings." 

But  those  ideas,  felicitous  as  they  were,  were 
immediately  abandoned,  when  I  recollected  the 
sacredness  of  my  vow,  and  the  inability  of  man 
to  release  me  from  them.  I  am  not  so  blind  a 
believer  as  to  imagine  that  any  human  being  can 
free  me  from  an  oath,  made  before  God,  and 
voluntarily  devoting  myself  to  him. 

But  my  resolution  was  again  severely  shaken, 
by  a  letter  I  at  the  same  time  received  from 
the  Dutchess  of  Beaufort,  congratulating  me 
on  my  acquisition  of  fortune,  and  herself  on  the 
prospect  of  seeing  me. 

"  When,"  she  says,  "  the  only  one  of  my 
children  who  shews  me  the  least  attention,  left 
England,  I  had  no  hope  of  enjoying  any  thing 
like  felicity,  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  I  shall  embrace  my  Edward ;  but  in  the 
interim  I  shall  clasp  to  my  bosom  my  beloved 
young  friend.  I  shall,  for  a  short  time  at  least, 
enjoy  her  society  ;  as  I  am  certain  she  will  not 
refuse  to  make  my  house  her  home,  during  her 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  129 

stay  in  England  ;  and  when  she  departs,  I  shall 
again  look  forward  with  distant  hope  to  the 
meeting  with  my  son." 

This  charming  woman  presses  her  invitation 
with  so  much  warmth  of  affectionate  kindness, 
that  I  cannot  resist  it.  She  tells  me,  that  a 
few  days  after  I  receive  her  letter  I  may  expect 
to  see  Mrs.  Ched!ey,  (her  own  maid,  the  same 
who  attended  me  hither)  whom,  with  her  hus- 
band, she  will  send  over  to  bring  me  to  her. 

How  kind,  how  considerate  is  the  Dutchess  ! 
To  decline  her  offer  is  impossible  ;  more  es- 
pecially as  our  Abbess  refuses  to  admit  me  to 
visit  England,  unless  I  am  to  be  under  some 
respectable  protection  when  there  ;  and  I  have 
no  friend  in  London  to  afford  me  countenance, 
except  her  Grace.  Adieu,  Emmeline  ;  my 
next  letter  will  be  from  England. 

LOUISA  P " 

When  Louisa  determined  to  accept  the  Dut- 
chess of  Beaufort's  invitation,  she  had  not  the 
least  suspicion  of  what  the  views  of  that  Lady 
were  ;  and  the  Dutchess  too  well  knew  her 
scrupulous  delicacy,  to  give  the  slightest  hint  of 
v.  hat  they  were. 


ISO  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

At  the  time  that  the  Duke  died,  and  Lord 
Edward  entered  into  possession  of  the  estate  be- 
queathed him,  it  was  his  wish,  and  that  of  hi3 
mother,  that  he  should  share  it  with  his  beloved 
Louisa.     Neither  of   them  were    ignorant  that 
there  were  a  particular  sort  of  arguments  irre- 
sistible to  the  sovereign  Pontiff,  to  induce  him 
to    remit  any   engagements   formed  with    the 
church;  but,  in  order  to  be  certain  what  grounds 
he  went  on,  Lord  Edward  employed  a  friend  of 
his    (who  happened  to  be  no  other  than  Mr. 
Clifford)  to  find  out  from  a  priest  well  known  to 
the  latter,  (who  had  resided' a  good  deal  in  Ire* 
land)  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Dublin,  whether 
there  were  any  hopes  of  Louisa  being  absolved 
from  her  vows.     If  there  was  any  one  instance, 
in  which  Lord  Edward  thought  highly  of  any 
thing  serious,  it   was   this  ;  and  he   was  so  far 
excusable,  as  that  from  his  protestant   educa- 
tion, and  the  school  of  his  profession,  he  had 
learned  to  consider  many  parts  of  the  Roman 
Catholic    religion   as    extremely  absurd  ;    and 
though  he  esteemed  a  truly  pious  and  virtuous 
Roman  Catholic   as   much  as   any  one  in  the 
world,  h.e  would  have  no  scruple  of  marrying  a 
nun,  even  without  his  Holiness's  permission, 
provided  her  conscience  was  perfectly  at  ease 
regarding  the  breach  of  her  vows. 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  101 

The  priest  to  whom  Mr.  Clifford  applied  for 
information  concerning  the  power  of  the  sove- 
reign Pontiff,  possessed  some  shrewdness  with 
much  simplicity  :  totally  uninformed  of  every 
thing  that  did  not  immediately  regard  his  pro- 
fession, he  had  a  sort  of  solemn  importance  in 
his  manner  of  speaking  of  that,  which  persuad- 
ed the  ignorant  that  he  knew  every  thing  ;  while 
those  of  more  understanding  were  apt  to  sus- 
pect from  thence,  that  he  knew  less  than  he 
really  did. 

One  evening  that  Mr.  Clifford  had  invited 
the  priest  to  his  house,  he  contrived  to  turn  the 
conversation  to  the  subject  of  Pontifical  power, 
and  particularly  that  regarding  his  dispensation 
with  religious  vows.  The  man  freely  declared 
that  it  was  in  the  power  of  the  Pope  to  absolve 
him  from  his  vow  of  celibacy. 

"  And,  no  doubt,  he  could  do  the  same,  if 
you  were  a  monk  ?"  said  Mr.  Clifford. 

"  I  am  not  so  certain  of  that,"  resumed  the 
father ;  «  there  are  many  reasons  why  absolu- 
tion would  be  very  difficult  to  procure  in  such  a 
case." 


132  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  Why,  my  good  friend,"  rejoined  Mr.  Clif- 
ford, "  you  surely  do  not  mean  to  say,  that  a 
monk's  sanctity  would  be  superior  to  your  own  ; 
and  that,  therefore,  the  Pope  possesses  less 
power  over  him." 

"  God  forbid,"  said  the  father,  solemnly, 
"  that  any  person  should  conceive  me  deficient 
in  my  efforts  to  acquire  the  greatest  degree  of 
sanctity  !  And  you  know,  Sir,  that  according 
to  every  man's  ability  to  be  virtuous  he  will  be 
judged.  The  man  to  whom  one  talent  is  com- 
mitted, will  not  be  expected  to  encrease  that 
one  to  so  large  an  amount,  as  him  to  whom  ten 
had  been  given  :  If  the  proportion  is  the  same 
it  is  enough." 

«  Very  true  Mr.  - ,"  returned  Mr.  Clif- 
ford, who  began  to  be  really  pleased  with  his 
guest  :  "  But  still  I  do  not  understand  why 
your  vows  of  celibacy  should  be  less  sacred 
than  those  of  a  monk." 

"  I  have  made  no  vow  of  poverty,"  said  the 
father,  unguardedly  ;  for  he  was  a  little  vain  of 
the  sound  doctrine  he  had  made  use  of,  and  the 
effect  it  seemed  to  have  on  his  auditor*    Mr, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  133 

Clifford,  however,  did  not  receive  any  ntw  in- 
formation from  the  answer  of  his  new  compa- 
nion ;  as  he  was  already  well  aware  that  all 
such  favours  must  be  purchased,  if  not  with 
money,  with  something  else. 

<;  But  I  do  not  conceive,"  resumed  Mr.  Clif- 
ford, "  that  nuns  make  any  vows  of  poverty  ; 
and  I  would  fain  know,  if  those  they  do  make, 
could  be  dispensed  with?" 

<'  Much  depends  upon  circumstances  ;"  an- 
swered the  priest  hesitatingly :  For,  as  the 
matter  had  probably  never  before  came  under 
his  consideration,  and  his  pos  itive  knowledge 
did  not  reach  so  far,  with  all  his  importance 
he  could  not  speak  with  greater  certainty  than 
when  he  added,  "  On  very  particular  occasions 
I  know  not  how  far  this  lenity  might  prevail  : 
But  what  is  your  reason  for  asking  those  ques* 
tions  ?" 

Mr.  Clifford  did  not  care  to  lay  open  himself, 
or  to  lay  open  his  friend's  views  to  this  man, 
who  might,  or  might  not,  be  fit  to  be  trusted  : 
He  therefore  made  no  reply  to  this  demand, 
but  said,  «  You  then  esteem  it  an  act  of  grace 
S 


J 34'  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

and  indulgence  to  free  a  religionist  from  their 
vows  ?" 


"  You  mistake  me  there,  worthy  Sir,"  said 
the  father,  "  but  certainly  there  is  as  much  le- 
nity and  goodness  in  exempting  a  person  from 
the  fear  of  committing  a  crime,  as  if  you  offer 
them  the  greatest  enjoyment  ;  since,  if  a  per- 
son possesses  peace  of  mind,  they  cannot  be  very 
unhappy  ;  while  the  extravagance  of  riotous 
pleasure  cannot  produce  perfect  satisfaction, 
without  the  consciousness  of  right." 

At  least,  thought  Clifford,  this  man  possesses 
moral  rectitude.  He  then  said,  "  Suppose  a 
man  should  be  blockhead  enough  to  fix  his  af- 
fections on  a  woman  who  happened  to  be  a  nun, 
might  he,  in  that  case,  ever  hope  to  obtain 
her  .?" 

"  I  do  not  know  how  that  which  you  mention 
could  happen.  But  I  will  suppose  it  could  :  It 
must  be  either  before  the  woman  became  a  nun, 
or  afterwards.  If  a  man  fell  in  love  with  a  nun, 
it  would  be  an  abominable  crime  !"  said  the 
father. 

"  It  might  be  an  involuntary  one,"  returned 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  135 

Mr.  Clifford,  "and,  as  such,  not  very  abomin- 
able." 

«  Pardon  me,  Sir,  I  do  not  think  it  could  be 
involuntary,"  said  the  priest  humbly. 

"  You  are  unacquainted  with  love,"  said  Mr. 
Clifford,  "  and  are,  therefore,  ignorant  of  its 
uncontroulable  power." 

"  For  the  very  reason,  that  I  have  never  felt 
it,  I  know  it  is  controulable.  Nothing  secures 
me  from  being  guilty  of  that  offence,  but  a  vir- 
tuous inclination,  and  the  custom  of  consider- 
ing every  woman  as  if  she  were  my  daughter. 
If  this  love  were  that  involuntary  and  uncon- 
troulable passion,  that  persons  who  have  never 
been  accustomed  to  govern  their  passions  re- 
present it,  we  should  have  nothing  in  this  world 
but  mere  falling  in  love  (as  you  call  it)  with 
their  sisters  ;  which  is  so  far  from  being  the 
case,  that  it  does  not  often  occur,  (comparatire- 
ly  speaking)  that  men  desire  to  possess  their 
neighbour's  wives." 

"  That  may  easily  be  accounted  for,"  said 
Mr.  Clifford,  u  by  the  o.'ium  fixed  to  those 
who  do,  and  the  fear  of  prosecutions  at  law." 


136  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Clifford  had  here  for  once  overshot  himself  f 
and  the  father  smiled  between  ridicule  and  tri- 
umph.    Clifford  resumed, 

"  But  in  the  other  case,  regarding  a  nun, 
j\lr.  V 

"  If  she  took  the  vows,"  he  answered,  "  not- 
withstanding his  attachment  to  her,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  she  would  not  join  him  in  endeavour- 
ing to  dissolve  them  ;  and  without  her  consent 
nothing  can  be  done." 

"  But  suppose,  my  good  Sir,  that  a  man 
were  to  indulge  a  passion  for  a  nun,  in  the  hope 
of  having  her  vows  remitted  ?" 

"  None  but  a  heretic,"  interrupted  the  priest 
Warmly,  as  he  rose  to  take  his  leave,  "  could 
form  such  a  design  ;  and  to  heretics  the  sove- 
reign Pontiff  gives  no  indulgences  ;  since  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  if  he  did,  they  would 
laugh  at  him  for  his  easy  kindness." 

In  consequence  of  this  conversation,  which 
wa's  repeated  to  Lumley,  his  Lordship  gave  up 
sdi  hope  of  procuring  Louisa's  liberation  ;  and 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  13? 

Lord  Edward  was,  at  the  time  she  accepted  his 
mother's  invitation  to  her  house,  entirely  igno- 
rant of  the  event  that  called  her  to  England, 
and  of  the  hopes  that  it  may  reasonably  inspire, 
and  the  Dutchess  thought  it  best  that  he  should 
not  hear  any  thing  of  it  for  some  time. 

When  Louisa  applied  to  the  Lady  Abbess  of 
her  convent,  for  permission  to  revisit  England, 
she  found  that  it  was  not  very  easy  to  be  obtain- 
ed. The  superior  knew  perfectly  well,  that  all 
the  friends  of  the  fair  nun  would  use  their  ut- 
most efforts  to  procure  a  dispensation  of  her 
vows  ;  and  that,  thence,  the  income  of  her  es- 
tate would  not  by  any  means  benefit  the  commu- 
nity :  while,  if  she  still  remained  in  the  con- 
vent, and  did  not  chuse  to  sequester  her  income 
for  its  use,  she  would  pay  largely  for  trifling 
indulgences.  The  Abbess  therefore  insisted 
on  Louisa's  giving  a  solemn  promise  to  return 
to  her  Convent,  as  soon  as  her  business  relative 
to  taking  possession  of  her  estate  was  compleat- 
ed-,  for  which  she  would  only  allow  three  months, 
saying, 

"  You  cannot  be  ignorant,  that  in  case  any 
disagreeable  circumstance  were  to  arise  from 


133  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

ray  permitting  you  to  go,  I  should  be  obliged 
to  answer  for  it;  therefore,  if  (for  my  security) 
you  refuse  to  give  me  the  private  promise  I  de- 
mand to  return  hither,  I  shall  withhold  my  per- 
mission till  you  obtain  an  order  from  the  higher 
powers  ;  the  process  of  procuring  which  will 
be  tedious  :  If,  on  the  contrary,  you  give  me 
your  word  to  come  back  at  the  end  of  three 
months,  or  before,  if  your  business  can  be  dis- 
patched, I  will  give  you  leave  to  secularize 
your  dress,  and  depart  on  the  morrow." 

Louisa  gave  the  desired  promise  ;  and,  five 
days  afterward,  attended  by  the  worthy  Mrs. 
Chedley  and  her  husband,  she  embarked  on 
board  the  packet,  that  had  already  loosened  sail 
to  go  for  England. 

With  all  Louisa's  piety  and  (without  being  a 
bigot)  she  possessed  a  great  deal,  she  expe- 
rienced an  involuntary  sensation  of  pleasure  as 
she  passed  the  Convent  gates  ;  and  a  still  more 
lively  one  when  she  lost  sight  of  its  lofty  walls.* 
Like  a  bird  whose  leg  is  encircled  with  a  string 

*  This  comparison  has  already  been  used  by 
Richardson,  in  his  admirable  production,  Cla- 
rissa Harlowe. 


i 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  139 

so  light  as  not  to  impede  its  flying,  she  fancied 
herself  at  liberty  ;  but  as,  v/hen  the  person  who 
holds  the  string  by  checking  the  flight  of  the 
little  volatile,  convinces  it  that  it  is  not  in  full 
freedom,  the  recollection  of  her  vows,  and  her 
promise  to  the  Abbess,  would  obtrude  them* 
selves  on  the  mind  of  Louisa,  and  diminish  the 
pleasure  she  felt,  at  being  able  to  look  around 
her,  and  to  see  no  enclosing  walls  to  bound  her 
prospects. 

The  next  day  but  one  following  her  departure 
from  Lisbon,  Louisa  happened  to  take  up  a 
book,  which  lay  on  a  shelf,  in  the  great  cabbin. 
It  chanced  to  be  a  volume  of  the  Poems  of  Lo- 
pez de  Vega,  in  the  original  Spanish- 

"  That  book,"  said  the  Captain,  observing 
she  held  it  in  her  hand,  "  was  given  near  eight 
years  ago,  by  an  English  gentleman  (who  took 
his  passage  with  me  from  Lisbon)  to  my  then 
lieutenant ;  the  lad  died  some  time  ago,  and  by 
some  chance  or  other  I  got  the  book :  I  cannot 
read  it ;  and  as  I  have  a  pair  of  sleeve  buttons, 
as  a  memorial  of  poor  Mc.  Intosh,  I  will  give 
it  to  the  first  passenger  I  get  who  understands 
Spanish.'* 


140  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  I  am  that  one,"  said  Louisa;  "  and  as  the 
book  is  rather  a  scarce  one,  I  shall  be  much 
obliged  to  you  for  it." 

The  Captain  declared  she  would  oblige  him 
by  accepting  it ;  and  Louisa  after  thanking  him> 
retired  with  the  volume  to  her  own  cabin.  She 
then  looked  out  for  a  particular  poem,  which 
she  often  read  with  pleasure  :  She  soon  found  it, 
and  was  as  much  surprised  as  pleased  to  behold 
the  name  of  E.  Lumley  written,  in  the  well 
known  hand  of  Lord  Edward,  in  the  margin  of 
the  page.  With  a  thousand  pleased  emotions 
her  eyes  dwelt  on  the  letters  for  some  minutes  ; 
her  next  feeling  was  one  of  gratitude  to  the 
Captain,  for  having  bestowed  such  treasure  on 
her  ;  and  estimating  the  obligation  rather  by  its 
peculiar  than  its  intrinsic,  or  even  designed  va- 
lue, she  hastened  to  the  trunk,  and  taking  from 
thence  a  book  of  most  beautiful  maps,  given  her 
when  almost  a  child,  by  the  late  General  So- 
merset, and  writing  the  Captain's  name  in  the 
first  leaf,  she  sent  it  to  him,  with  her  compli- 
ments, as  a  small  return  for  the  pleasure  he  had 
afforded  her,  by  his  present  of  Lopez  de  Vega. 

The  remaining  days  of  the  voyage  passed 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  141 

Quietly  away  ;  and  in  the  usual  time  Louisa 
landed  at  Falmouth.  She  immediately  wrote 
to  the  Dutchess  of  Beaufort,  to  inform  her  of 
her  arrival,  and  had  just  dispatched  her  letter, 
when  Mr.  Chedley  entered  the  room. 

"  At  what  hour,"  said  the  old  man,  "  will 
your  Ladyship  chuse  to  start  ?" 

"  Whenever  you  please  to  order  the  car- 
riage," was  the  answer. 

"  Her  Grace  will  be  very  impatient  till  she 
sees  your  Ladyship,"  Chedley  resumed. 

"  Let  us  then  set  out  early,"  said  Louisa. 

"  But  her  Grace  desired  me  not  to  allow  your 
Ladyship  to  fatigue  yourself  by  hurrying  for- 
ward." 

"  Then,  friend,"  said  Louisa,  with  a  smile, 
"  Lthink  the  only  way  there  is  of  our  obeying 
your  Lady,  yet  gratifying  your  and  my  own 
desire  is,  that  I  should  command  you  to  order 
the  carriage,  that  we  may  go  the  first  stage 
this  evening." 

T 


142  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Louisa  spoke  to  one  who  was  not  backward 
in  hastening  the  preparations  for  their  depar- 
ture ;  and  with  such  alacrity  did  the  old  man 
set  about  them,  that  in  less  than  an  hour  Louisa 
and  Mrs.  Chedley  were  in  the  chaise,  and  on 
their  way  to  London. 

It  was  one  of  those  fine  evenings,  not  very 
uncommon  in  the  beginning  of  May,  that  Louisa 
began  her  journey  :  the  sun  shone  with  the  ut- 
most brilliancy,  guilding  the  steep  crags  that 
rose  upon  all  sides  ;  and  the  wild  heaths  that 
have  at  any  other  season  of  the  year  a  barren 
and  uncomfortable  appearance,  now  that  the 
tops  of  the  plants  were  covered  with  the  tender 
shoots  of  spring,  possessed  a  lively  verdure, 
almost  unequalled  by  the  fresh  grass  that  over- 
spread the  plains  of  Devonshire  ;  while,  in  some 
places,  the  pale  purple  tint  of  the  heath  blos- 
soms gave  a  luxuriance  to  the  colouring  of  the 
landscape,  that  rendered  it  peculiarly  pleasing 
to  a  person  who  had  long  been  accustomed  to 
behold  only  the  narrow  limits  of  a  garden,  or 
the  scenery  of  the  shores  of  the  Tagus,  speck- 
led with 'stately  edifices,  and  highly  cultivated  : 
the  native  simplicity  of  the  country  through 
•which  Louisa  now  travelled,  and  the  almost- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  143 

boundless  view  of  hills  rising  behind  hills,  and 
the  distant  sea  forming  a  scarcely  perceptible 
horizon,  must  (even  from  its  novelty)  be  charm- 
ing. But  Louisa  was  a  lover  of  nature,  and 
the  first  impression  she  had  received  of  a  coun- 
try she  was  attached  to,  had  been  in  the  wild 
regions  ot  the  highlands  of  Scotland. 

In  a  shorter  time  than  a  less  impatient  tra- 
veller would  have  performed  the  journey,  Louisa 
arrived  in  London,  and  on  stopping  at  the  house 
of  the  Dutchess  of  Beaufort,  she  was  in  a  mo- 
ment conveyed  to  the  bosom  of  her  truly  res- 
pectable friend. 

To  describe  the  mingled  sensations  of  delight 
and  pain  (caused  by  intrusive  remembrance) 
which  both  felt  at  meeting,  would  be  impossi- 
ble ;  but  when  they  had  a  little  subsided,  each 
could  observe  the  change  which  time  had  made 
in  the  other.  Louisa  saw  that  the  Dutchess 
was  wasted  almost  to  a  shadow,  and  that  seven 
yea'rs  had  more  effect  in  altering  her  appear- 
ance, than  twenty  might  reasonably  be  expect-- 
ed  to  have  :  the  languor  of  her  once  bright  eyes 
and  of  her  now  withered  form,  proclaimed  that 
her  constitution  was  entirely  broken  ;  and  that 


144  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

at  an  age  when  many  women  are  only  in  their 
prime,  she  was  sinking  into  the  grave,  from, 
nature  being  entirely  exhausted:  she  smiled, 
however,  upon  Louisa,  as  she  said, 

"  Your  arrival,  my  invaluable  young  friend, 
was  too  fortunate  a  circumstance  to  arise  on  a 
day  when  I  have  received  more  pleasure  than 
I  have  dc.ie  for  many  months.  I  shall  grow 
fond  of  this  world  in  time,  if  I  enjoy  many 
such  days  as  this  ;  which  first  brought  me  in- 
telligence that  my  son  Edward  is  in  some  mea- 
sure recovering  in  his  health,  and  then  present- 
ed me  with  my  Louisa." 

Louisa  could  only  look  her  gratitude,  both 
for  the  information  and  the  compliment,  and 
soon  afterwards  (as  she  declined  supping  and 
was  much  fatigued)  the  Dutchess  attended  her 
to  her  apartment.  It  was  that  in  which  she 
slept  previous  to  her  leaving  England  ;  and  the 
reflections  that  crowded  on  her  mind  when  the 
Dutchess,  immediately  departing,  left  her  alone, 
were  of  a  nature  to  preclude,  for  that  night  at 
least,  the- repose  she  so  much  stood  in  need  of. 

Louisa  had  been  near  a  month  in  London^ 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  145 

and  her  business  was  in  great  forwardness, 
when  one  morning,  as  she  was  sitting  at  break- 
fast with  the  Dutchess,  the  latter  received  some 
letters,  which  she  immediately  opened.  As  she 
read  them,  frequent  sighs  swelled  her  breast, 
and,  at  length,  laying  down  the  sheet  she  was 
perusing  on  the  table,  she  burst  into  tears. 
Louisa  tenderly  enquired  the  cause  of  her  sor- 
row. 

"  Ah  !  Louisa,"  said  the  Dutchess,  in  a  voice 
that  betrayed  the  anguish  of  her  heart,  "  your 
gentle  and  susceptible  nature  should  not  be 
shocked  by  the  knowledge  of  my  woes  ;  they 
are  such  as  that  you  cannot  relieve,  and  your 
pity  would  only  distress  yourself,  without  bene- 
fiting me." 

"  Think  not  of  my  sufferings,  Madam,"  said 
Louisa,  "  but  if  to  speak  of  your  own  can  alle- 
viate them  do  so ;  and  inform  me  whence  ori- 
ginates this  sorrow." 

"  Alas  !  it  originates  in  my  children  !  When 
it  pleased  the  Almighty  to  give  me  a  numerous 
family,  I  fondly  hoped  that  I  should  have  had 
so  many  comforts  in  my  declining  years.     But 


146  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

I  have  sighed  over  the  graves  of  some,  and  those 
who  remain  occasion  me  nothing  but  affliction. 
My  eldest  child,  my  dear,  my  lovely  Caroline, 
compelled  by  an  austere  and  unrelenting  father 
to  a  marriage  with  a  hoary  monster,  survived 
the  sacrifice  but  a  few  months  :  torn  from  a 
man  she  loved,  and  given  to  a  wealthy  tyrant, 
her  mild  and  gentle  nature  sunk  under  the 
sufferings,  and  I  wept  over  her  corpse.  My 
second  daughter,  Olivia,  determined  not  to  be 
sacrificed  like  her  sister,  took  the  most  effectual 
means  to  prevent  it,  by  marrying  to  please  her- 
self, a  man  unworthy  of  her,  with  whom  she 
now  lives  miserably  in  Germany.  My  sweet 
Frances,  my  best  beloved,  I  was  doomed  to 
watch,  for  three  tedious  years,  declining  by 
slow  degrees  ;  and,  at  length  to  see  her  expire 
in  a  consumption.  Never,  never,  Louisa,  was 
there  a  mother  more  fondly  attached  to  a  child, 
than  I  was  to  her  ;  and  no  child  ever  deserved 
more  of  a  parent.  The  present  Duke  of  Beau- 
fort is  another  bitter  source  of  misery  to  me  : 
With  all  the  faults  of  his  father,  he  wants  his 
virtues  :  he  has  given  his  hand  to  a  woman  of 
mean  birth,  without  one  single  quality  10  make 
her  estimable  ;  if  she  is  chaste  it  is  the  utmost, 
for  she  pursues  pleasure  in  all  its  dangerous 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  147 

forms,  accompanied  by  my  deluded  and  head- 
strong Cecilia,  rioting  in  every  species  of  ex- 
travagance, which  her  husband  dare  not  check  ; 
though  it  is  tardily,  and  with  avowed  reluc- 
tance, that  he  pays  me  my  trifling  jointure. 
James  is  a  gamester,  a  drinker,  and  a  jockey  ! 
And  William  Harcourt,  with  amiable  disposi- 
tions, and  no  deficiency  of  sense,  prefers  fol- 
lowing the  steps  of  James,  to  imitating  Edward  ; 
because  he  says,  he  sees  Edward's  virtue  makes 
him  miserable.  Of  Harcourt's  reformation  I 
still  cherish  hopes  ;  but  I  can  scarcely  think  I 
shall  ever  see  Edward  restored  to  that  peace  of 
mind,  and  lively  gaiety  that  he  once  possessed, 
and  I  can  never  be  any  thing  but  miserable." 

When  the  Dutchess  had  a  little  recovered 
her  composure,  she  took  up  a  letter  which  had 
lain  unperceived  on  the  table,  being  concealed 
by  the  covers  of  the  others.  Louisa  saw  that 
it  had  a  foreign  post  mark  ;  and  the  writing  on 
the  superscription  (though  scarcely  legible)  she 
knew  to  be  that  of  Lord  Edward  Lumley.  The 
Dutchess  wept  as  she  read  it,  and  then  gave  it 
to  Louisa.     It  contained  only  these  lines. 

«  When  I  wrote  last  I  thought  that  my  health 


I4S  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

was  about  to  be  restored  ;  but  on  that  very  day, 
I  was  seized  Avith  a  violent  illness,  'which  has 
reduced  me  to  a  state  of  such  extreme  weak- 
ness, that  even  Writing  these  few  words  is  an 
arduous  task.  My  physician  informs  me,  that 
nothing  can  so  soon  re-establish  my  health,  as 
returning  to  the  influence  of  my  native  air.  I 
shall,  therefore,  set  out  for  England  to-morrow, 
and  hope,  by  easy  stages,  to  reach  your  house 
even  sooner  than  you  may  expect  me.  Let  me 
not  in  the  least  disturb  any  arrangement  you 
have  made ;  but  receive  me  as  you  have  ever 
done  your 

Geneva,  June  2.  E.  LUMLEY." 

Louisa,  when  she  had  perused  it,  folded  up 
the  letter,  examined  the  seal,  and  seemed  stu- 
dying what  to  say  ;  but  all  the  resolution  she 
had  been  able  to  muster  gave  way,  when  the 
Dutchess  taking  her  hand,  and  looking  in  her 
face  with  the  most  mournful  earnestness,  she 
perceived  the  tears  falling  fast  over  her  pale 
cheeks.  Louisa  wept  also,  and  was  unable  to 
pronounce  a  word  ;  she  directly  conceived  the 
meaning  of  the  Dutchess's  supplicating  looks, 
and  said, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  149 

"  No,  Madam  ;  if  prudence  and  propriety  are 
not  found  to  forbid  my  remaining  with  you,  I 
will  not  abandon  you. — Lord  Edward  will  see 
me  with  such  feelings  as  lie  ought,  and  there 
will  be  no  necessity  for  my  leaving  your  pro- 
tection, at  a  time  when  my  services  and  my 
soothings  may  be  of  use  to  you." 

The  Dutchess  embraced  her  young  friend, 
while  her  bosom  throbbed  v/ith  numberless  un* 
describable  emotions,  amongst  which  gratitude 
was  the  first ;  but  hope  soon  displaced  it,  and 
she  was  ready  to  exclaim, 

"  Then  shall  my  Edward  be  blest ! — If  you 
consent  to  see  him,  it  is  impossible  you  can 
resist  his  wishes." 

A  few  days  after  this  Louisa  received  the  fol- 
lowing billet. 

"  If  hope  does  not  deceive  me  friendship  has 
net  yet  fled  to  heaven  ;  and  Lady  Louisa  Percy 
still  remembers  the  promise  she  made  me,  to 
think  of  me  with  some  little  regard  I" 

**  Have  years  obliterated  this  promise,  Ma- 
U 


•150  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

dam,  from  your  memory  ?  or,  may  I  believe 
that  you  will  not  disappoint  me,  by  a  refusal  to 
see  me,  to  permit  me  to  assure  you  I  still  re- 
main the  most  sincere  of  your  friends, 

HALLIFAX." 

With  a  satisfaction  she  did  not  wish  to  re- 
strain, Louisa  read  this  billet ;  and  returned 
the  following  answer. 

lt  The  remembrance  that  the  Marquis  of  Hal- 
lifax  thought  it  worth  his  while  to  exact  the  pro- 
mise of  which  he  reminds  me,  gives  rise  to 
ideas  too  flattering  for  me  to  forego.  I  have 
never  been  unmindful  of  it,  and  shall  be  proud 
to  assure  the  Marquis  in  person,  of  my  friend- 
ship, if  he  will  call  at  the  Dutchess  of  Beau- 
fort's house  to-morrow  evening  and  inquire  for 
LOUISA  PERCY." 

When  Louisa  had  sent  away  her  note,  she 
inquired  of  the  Dutchess,  what  was  the  present 
situation  of  the  Marquis  of  Hallifax  ;  and  learn- 
ed, that  about  four  years  before,  he  had  marri- 
ed a  very,  amiable  young  lady,  sister  to  the 
Earl  of  Montrose,  who  had  died  in  child-bed  of 
fcer  first  child,  about  twelve  months  after  Jier 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  151 

marriage  :  the  infant  was  dead  born,  so  that 
the  Marquis  was  still  unincumbered  with  a  fa- 
mily. He  had  been  much  attached  to  the  Mar- 
chioness, and,  since  her  death  he  had  led  a 
wandering  sort  of  life,  never  residing  above  a 
month  in  any  one  place,  when  in  England  ; 
and  two  years  he  had  spent  in  Sweden,  from 
whence  he  was  not  long  returned. 

The  Marquis  did  not  fail  to  attend  Louisa's 
appointment,  and  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening 
he  met  her  in  the  drawing-room  of  the  Dutchess 
of  Beaufort. 

She  received  him  with  a  generous  warmth  of 
friendship  which  he  scarcely  exptcted  ;  but 
with  which  he  was  quite  enraptured.  As  for 
his  behaviour  to  her  it  was  that  of  an  affection- 
ate brother,  restrained  by  the  timid  respect 
which  ever  accompanies  even  the  recollection 
of  a  former  attachment.  Louisa  endeavoured 
to  make  him  forget  that  such  had  ever  existed, 
while  she  talked  to  him  of  the  time  that  had 
elapsed  since  their  last  meeting,  and,  by  de- 
grees, drew  him  into  giving  her  and  the  Dut- 
chess an  account  of  what  he  had  seen  in  Swe- 
den,    He  was  relating  to  them  the  occurrences 


152  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

of  the  eventful  morning  of  the  19th  of  August, 
1772,  when  he  happened  to  be  in  Stockholm, 
when  the  party  were  disturbed  by  a  little  bus- 
tle, that  arose  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  and  the 
next  moment  Lord  Edward,  supported  by  old 
Chedley,  entered  the  room. 

He  quickened  his  pace  as  he  approached  the 
Dutchess  ;  who,  every  thing  but  fainting,  was 
unable  to  rise  from  her  seat  ;  but  the  embrace 
of  her  son  seemed  to  restore  her  faculties,  and 
the  power  of  shedding  tears,  caused  by  joy  for 
his  return,  and  sorrow  for  the  manner  of  it, 
and  his  wasted  appearance.  Louisa  now  prov- 
ed herself  superior  to  all  the  weakness  of  her 
sex  ;  for  without  any  visible  sign  of  extraordi- 
nary emotion,  she  gave  her  hand  to  Lord  Ed- 
ward, and  congratulated  his  return,  as  if  he 
had  been  only  an  old  friend.  The  Marquis  was 
surprised  at  her  composure,  and  instead  of  re- 
seating himself,  said  to  her,  in  a  low  voice, 
"  The  present  time  is  not  one  when  my  pre- 
sence can  be  agreeable,  and  I  will  not  take 
leave  of  you  now,  because  when  1  do,  I  shall 
chuse  to  fake  up  the  whole  of  your  attention  c 
S9  I  say  simply,  good  night." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  153 

He  kissed  her  hand  as  he  pronounced  those 
words,  and  bowing  to  the  Dutchess  and  her  son, 
left  the  room,  followed  by  Louisa,  who  did  not 
wish  to  be  present  at  their  first  conversation. 

When  alone  with  his  mother,  Lord  Edward 
was  ashamed  to  express  surprise  or  curiosity  as 
to  the  cause  of  the  visit  of  the  Marquis  of  HaUi- 
fax  to  Louisa,  (for  he  well  knew  the  Dutchess 
was  not  acquainted  with  him)  but  he  certainly 
did  not  experience  the  most  agreeable  sensa- 
tions, and  was  thoughtful,  silent,  and  melan- 
choly, during  the  short  time  that  intervened  be- 
fore he  retired  to  his  chamber,  excusing  him- 
self under  the  plea  of  ilinebS  and  fatigue.  The 
true  occasion  of  the  indisposition  of  Lord  Ed- 
ward, though  he  did  not  own  it  to  the  Dutchess 
(who,  however,  suspected  it)  was  the  agitation 
caused  in  his  mind,  by  the  receipt  of  his  mo- 
ther's letter,  informing  him  of  Louisa  being  in 
England,  and  the  reasonable  possibility  of  the 
church  yet  permitting  their  union. 

The  letter  the  Dutchess  never  thought  it  pro. 
per  to  inform  Louisa  she  had  written,  and  had 
Louisa  been  in  a  state  of  mind  to  note-  (compa- 
ratively) trivial  occurrences,  she  would  probab- 


154  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

ly  have  observed  it  to  be  something-  singular 
that  his  Lordship  betrayed  no  token  of  surprise 
on  seeing  her,  as  she  thought  so  unexpectedly. 
But  as  she  felt  conscious  of  having  made  a  most 
wonderful  effort  herself  in  meeting  him  with 
composure,  when  she  did  reflect  on  this  cir- 
cumstance, she  attributed  to  him  a  similar,  if 
not  a  superior  exertion  of  heroism. 

At  breakfast  the  next  morning  Lord  Edward, 
who  had  rested  ill,  did  not  appear  ;  and  the 
moment  it  was  over,  as  Louisa  had  some  busi- 
ness to  transact  with  her  agent,  the  Dutchess 
hastened  to  the  apartment  of  her  son  :  she 
found  him  ill  and  -languid  indeed,  but,  from  the 
expression  of  his  countenance,  s'ie  thought  his 
mind  more  at  ease  than  it  had  been  the  preced- 
ing evening.  After  a  little  previous  conversa- 
tion, he  said  to  the  Dutchess, 

"  I  know,  my  dear  Madam,  that  I  am  weak 
if  I  am  forbidden  to  call  Louisa  mine  ;  and 
wrong  if  she  permits  me  to  indulge  the  hope 
you  have  given  me,  in  being  uneasy  at  the 
Marquis  of  Halli fax's  visit  last  nighi ;  but  I  re- 
quest you  will  inform  me  in  what  light  she  con- 
sidered him,  when  she  allowed  him  to  come  ? 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  155 

I  do  not  ask  this  question  from  an  impertinent 
curiosity,  but  from  a  desire  to  know  how  to  con- 
duct myself.  If  she  is  only  to  be  absolved  from 
her  vows,  that  the  increass  of  wealth  and  con- 
sequence her  estate  affords  may  be  thrown  into 
a  Catholic  family,  I  should  wish  to  know  it  j 
that  I  may  at  least  secure  her  friendship,  by 
seeming  to  have  forgot  my  love." 

"  Assure  yourself,"  said  the  Dutchess,  "  that 
Louisa  professes,  and  I  am  certain  feels  no- 
thing more  for  the  Marquis  than  esteem  and 
good  will." 

"  But  does  she  honor  me  with  a  softer  sen- 
timent ?"  inquired  Lord  Edward,  half  mourn- 
fully. 

"  My  dear  son,"  she  replied,  u  that  is  a  sub- 
ject on  which  I  have  never  dared  to  touch  :  I 
know  that  if  I  did  Louisa  would  be  ingenuous  ; 
and  I  know  also,  that  I  could  not  conceal  my 
knowledge  of  her  sentiments  from  you.  But  I 
considered  that  maternal  affection  would  be  no 
excuse  for  my  betraying  the  secret  thoughts  of 
my  friends.  From  her,  then,  you  must  learn, 
how  highly  you  stand  in  her  estimation.'^ 


156  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

While  the  Dutchess  was  speaking,  Lord  Ed- 
ward's man  brought  her  a  slip  of  paper,  on 
which  was  written,  in  Louisa's  hand, 

44  The  Marquis  of  Hallifax  has  written  to  tell 
m°,  he  is  going  to  leave  town  for  a  few  days; 
and  to  request  permission  to  call  on  me  at  his 
return  :  Will  it  be  agreeable  to  you  that  he 
should  do  so?" 

As  the  servant  left  the  room  the  moment  he 
had  delivered  his  business,  the  Dutchess  gave 
the  note  to  Lord  Edward,  saying, 

"  Does  this  look  like  attachment  to  the  Mar- 
quis ?" 

Lord  Edward  perused  the  lines  in  silence, 
and  sighed  as  he  gave  them  back  to  his  mother  ; 
who  immediately  went,  in  person,  to  reproach 
Louisa,  for  having  thought  it  necessary  to  re- 
quire her  permission  to  receive  any  visitors  she 
pleased.  The  Marquis  accordingly  received  as 
favourable  an  answer  as  he  could  wish,  and  that 
day  (and  several  succeeding  ones)  was  spent 
tranquilly  at  least,  if  not  happily,  by  the  Dut- 
chess, her  son,  and  Louisa, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  1st 

One  morning,  however,  a  fortnight  after  the  ar- 
rival of  Lord  Edward,  Louisa  happened  to  be 
left  alone  with  him  after  breakfast,  and  (as  was 
her  custom  when  this  occured)  she  was  going  to 
leave  the  room,  when  his  Lordship  said,  "  Is 
Lady  Louisa  timid,  or  unkind,  when  she  takes 
such  precautions  to  prevent  my  speaking  to 
her,  except  in  the  presence  of  my  mother." 

"  Neither,  my  Lord  :  For  the  former,  I  con- 
clude, I  have  no  reason ;  and  to  the  latter  I 
have  no  inclination." 

"  Why  then,  Madam,  do  you  fly  me  ?" 

"  The  inquiry,  my  Lord,  proves,  it  is  right  so 
to  do,"  replied  Louisa. 

"  You  then  perceive  that  I  wish  for  a  private 
conference  ?" 

"  I  cannot  avoid  perceiving  it,  my  Lord  :  If 
it  were  not  so,  your  Lordship  would  permit 
me  to  leave  the  room  unnoticed,  when  I  pleas- 
ed." 

« How   long,    Louisa,"    enquired    Lumley, 
V 


158  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

with  assumed  calmness,  "  is  it  since  you  have 
adopted  the  cold  and  ceremonious  term,  my 
Lord,  for  him  who  was  once  your  Edward  ?" 

K  Eight  years  since,"  Louisa  replied,  "  I  ab- 
jured all  connexions  except  friendly  ones  :  yet 
if  you  please  to  be  considered  in  the  fraternal 
character,  the  formality  you  complain  of  shall 
not  offend  you.  I  am,  and  will  be  to  you,  sis- 
ter Louisa." 

"  No,  Louisa,  that  title  must  be  your's  no 
longer,"  said  Lord  Edward  gravely,  Avith  an 
air  of  seriousness,  that  was  evidently  put  on  to 
conceal  the  excess  of  his  emotion,  as  he  added, 
44  For  this  once  hear  me.  There  was  a  time 
when  you,  without  scruple,  confessed,  not  only 
that  I  was  dear  to  you,  but  that  it  was  your 
Wish  to  spend  your  life  with  me. — Biest^  most 
truly  blest  should  1  have  been,  to  put  your  af- 
fections to  the  proof  ;  had  not  the  stern  preju- 
dices of  both  our  fathers  forbid  our  union  : 
your's  loved  you — mine  only  regarded  me  as 
I  might  increase  his  consequence,  by  giving 
him  a  Countess  for  a  daughter.  To  my  own 
father  I  looked  on  myself  as  absolved  from  all 
duty,  as  he  had  violated  his  to  me,  by  endea- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  159 

vouring  to  make  me  miserable  ;  and,  at  the 
death  of  Lord  Montrose,  in  spite  of  fortune,  I 
would  have  claimed  and  made  you  mine  :  my 
commission  would  have  been  sufficient  to  sup- 
port us-  My  father  would  not  deprive  me  of  it 
so  long  as  I  performed  my  duty  as  an  officer  ; 
and  had  I  died  before  you,  or  left  any  children, 
my  generous  country  and  my  benevolent  King 
would  have  secured  the  family  of  a  faithful  ser- 
vant from  want.  But,  Louisa,  the  difference  of 
religion  would  have  afforded  a  plea  to  my  fa- 
ther to  disunite  us,  which  he  might  easily  have 
enforced.  I  then  consented  to  yield  you  up  to 
a  more  fortunate  destiny  ;  and  1  think  that  I 
could  have  seen  you  the  wife  of  another.  I 
saw  you  devote  yourself  to  heaven  with  all  the 
agony  of  disappointed  hope;  but  I  dare  not 
step  forward  to  prevent  it.  Once,  indeed,  dur- 
ing the  awful  ceremony,  1  had  nearly  done  so. 
I  saw  the  priest  advance  to  wrap  you  in  the  sa- 
ble veil,  that  was  to  divide  you  from  me  for 
ever  ;  I  thought  I  saw  you  shrink  back,  and  I 
was  on  the  point  of  exclaiming,  that  you  were 
my  wife,  by  a  thousand  vows  of  fidelity,  but 
utterance  was  denied  me,  and  ere  I  recovered 
the  power  of  speech,  you  meekly  bowed  your 
head,  you  received  the  veil,  and  all  hope  was 
lost." 


160  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  Good  God  I"  cried  Louisa,  now  first  re- 
covering the  power  of  speech,  of  which  sur- 
prise and  bitter  recollection  had  bereft  her, 
"  whither  does  all  this  tend  ?" 

"  Be  patient,  Louisa,  a  few  minutes,  the  re- 
maining part  of  my  history  will  not  detain  you 
long." 

"  When  the  death  of  my  father,  and  my  ac- 
cession to  wealth  far  beyond  my  wishes,  would, 
in  other  circumstances,  have  placed  me  within 
the  reach  of  happiness,  I  took  the  best  means  to 
be  informed  whether  it  was  possible  that  you 
might  be  freed  from  your  vows  ;  but,  from  a 
minister  of  your  faith,  I  found  that  I,  as  a  Pro- 
testant, must  not  appear  in  it,  and  that,  indeed, 
there  was  no  hope  of  your  liberation.  A  friend- 
ship I  at  this  time  formed  with  your  cousin, 
Lord  Montrose,  opened  to  me  farther  infor- 
mation. He  lamented  that  he  was  not  of  age 
when  you  took  the  fatal  step,  of  entering  the 
convent,  and  told  me  that  it  was  next  to  impos- 
sible for  you  to  regain  your  freedom,  unless 
some  unforeseen  event  was  to  afford  you  an  op- 
portunity of  coming  to  England,  since  that 
wa"s  the  only  place  from  whence  you  cot&ftreat 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  161 

with  the  church.  This  unforeseen  event  has 
taken  place  ;  and  Lord  Montrose,  in  a  letter  I 
yesterday  received,  informed  me,  that  he  has 
been  endeavouring  to  ascertain  the  practicabi- 
lity of  procuring  your  release,  and  has  very 
little  doubt,  that  if  the  proper  steps  are  taken, 
you  will  be  permitted  to  marry," 

"  And  can  you  conceive  it  possible,  that  I 
shall  ever  do  so?"  inquired  Louisa,  with  calm 
dignity. 

"  I  do,  Louisa,  I  do :  I  cannot  believe  you 
capable  of  inconstancy  ;  and  my  own  lovely, 
lender  Louisa,  would  wish  to  make  all  within 
*he  sphere  she  moves  as  happy  as  possible." 

"  My  Lord,  you  have  mistaken  my  charac- 
ter," returned  Louisa  firmly,  "  I  hope  I  never 
yet  gave  you  just  cause  to  imagine,  that  I  would 
break  through  avow  to  promote  my  own  tem- 
porary happiness.  For,  believe  me,  Edward, 
all  the  satisfaction  you  could  experience  from  a 
union  with  a  woman,  to  whom  I  never  doubted 
your  attachment,  could  not  equal  the  transport 
with  which  I  should  receive  the  assurance,  that  I 
iShould  spend  the  remainder  of  my  life  with  one 


162  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

whose  tenderness,  honor,  and  fidelity,  has  beea 
proved,  as  your's  has  been." 

"  Noble,  generous  Louisa  !"  exclaimed  Lord 
Edward,  "  you  have  given  me  another  plea 
whereon  to  urge  my  proposal  :  My  efforts  Avill 
not  now  be  selfish,  since  they  will  be  to  promote 
your  happiness,  as  well  as  my  own  :  and  hear 
my  declaration,  as  I  have  heard  your's.  Much 
as  I  doat  on  you,  and  tedious  as  have  been  my 
sufferings  for  your  sake,  could  you,  at  this  mo- 
ment say,  with  truth,  '  Lumley,  I  should  be 
happier  in  my  Convent!'  yet  were  willing,  for 
my  felicity,  to  consent  to  a  marriage  with  me, 
I  would  spurn  the  idea,  though  my  life  should 
pay  the  price  of  my  self-denial.  But  why  talk 
of  yielding  up  my  life  ?  Rather  should  I  say, 
nay  swear  to  you,  that  I  would  in  preference 
to  taking  advantage  of  your  generosity,  consent 
lo  spend  a  long  life  separated  from  ycu,  while 
the  keen  torment  of  my  feelings  should,  to  the 
end,  be  undiminished." 

"  For  both  our  sakes,  then,"  continued  Ed- 
ward fervently,  "  let  me  conjure  you  to  con- 
sent to  Lord  Montrose  applying  for  absolution 
from  your  vows." 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  163 

li  Let  me  ask  you,"  said  Louisa  solemnly, 
"  do  you  think  that  such  an  absolution  would 
acquit  me  of  a  crime,  in  violating  a  vow  I  have 
made  ?" 

"  I  do,  Louisa.  Had  you  made  a  vow  to  your 
father,  and  had  he  rendered  it  void,  it  would 
have  been  so.  Your  present  engagements  were 
formed  with  the  church,  and  the  church  has 
power  to  dissolve  them." 

"  Were  it  for  any  good  or  necessary  pur- 
pose," returned  she,  "  perhaps  it  might ;  but 
when  the  desire  of  being  freed  from  them  arises 
from  those  very  passions  I  have  vowed  to  banish 
from  my  heart,  how  shall  I  hope  for  absolution  ? 
But,  Edward,  I  will  be  more  candid  with  you. 
I  do  not  believe  it  is  in  the  power  of  man  to  re- 
mit those  vows  made  to  God." 

Lord  Edward  looked  astonished  ;  the  serious- 
ness of  the  subject  did  not  permit  his  thoughts 
to  dwell  on  any  but  itself,  and  he  said,  "  Louisa, 
you  are  no  Catholic  !  This  is  not  the  declaration 
of  me." 

"  I  hope  I  possess  reason  and  charity,"  she 


164  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

replied,  "  and  such  tenets  of  the  religion,  I  pro- 
fess, as  depart  from  both,  I  learned  to  condemn, 
when  I  found  in  heretics  every  virtue  that  could 
render  them  worthy  of  heaven.  If  memory  is 
left  us  in  a  future  state  my  happiness  would  be 
incomplete,  unless  shared  with  those  I  love  ; 
and,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  that  a  mere  mi- 
nister of  God  should  have  no  power  to  dissolve 
vows,  witnessed  and  accepted  by  God  himself. 
When  I  devoted  myself  to  his  worship,  I  called 
on  him  to  behold  and  ratify  my  oath,  and  no- 
thing can  excuse  my  breaking  it ;  therefore, 
Edward,  seek  not,  Oh  !  seek  not  to  make  me 
•"•iiilty.  My  reason  and  my  heart  are  weak,  they 
may  betray  me  ;  but  do  not  you,  whom  I  have 
loved  and  trusted,  lead  me  to  destruction  !" 

As  Louisa  pronounced  this  affecting  petition, 
she  clasped  her  hands  in  an  attitude  of  supplica- 
tion, and  the  deep  sobs  that  seemed  to  swell 
her  heart  almost  to  bursting,  totally  overcame 
Lord  Edward.  He  threw  himself  on  his  knees 
before  her,  exclaiming,  with  tears, 

"  Glorious,  matchless  Louisa,  you  shall  be 
obeyed.  Oh  !  believe  me  not  so  base,  as  that, 
to  make  my  whole  future  life  one  scene  of  bliss? 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  165 

I  would  expose  you  to  feeling  one  sting  of  con- 
science. No,  thou  perfect  angel,  never  from 
this  moment  shall  you  hear  my  ill-fated  love. 
I  will  look  up  to  you  as  a  superior  being,  who 
has  deigned  to  feel  an  interest  in  my  fate, — 
and  ■    ■     " 

"  No,  Edward,"  interrupted  Louisa,  the  ele- 
vation of  her  soul  beaming  in  her  eyes,  and 
seeming  to  restore  her  from  the  wreck  of  what 
she  had  been,  to  all  her  former  spirit  and  beau- 
ty, "  Consider  me  as  your  sister  ;  fancy  that  I 
am  the  one  you  most  loved,  risen  from  the 
grave,  and  then  I  shall  glory  in  your  affection." 

At  that  moment  the  Dutchess  entered  the 
mom,  and  Louisa  throwing  her  arms  round 
her  neck,  wept  in  silence,  with  her  head  re- 
clined on  her  shoulder  for  a  few  minutes  ;  but 
seeming  suddenly  to  recollect  herself,  she  hur- 
ried to  her  own  apartment. 

,It  was  some  time  btfore  Lord  Edward  was 
able  to  give  his  mother  an  account  of  his  con- 
versation with  Louisa  ;  but  when  he  did  so,  the 
Dutchess  was  at  once  convinced  that  he  had  no 
further  to  hope.  What  her  feelings  were  when 
W 


166  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

she  declared  this  sad  certainty,  may  be  con- 
ceived, but  not  described. 


"  Alas  I"  said  she,  in  an  accent  of  the  bitter- 
est anguish,  "  now,  do  I  feel  the  fullness  of  my 
punishment  for  my  breach  of  duty  to  my  father, 
in  my  marrying  with  your's.  His  resentment 
"was  the  cause  of  the  sacrifice  of  my  poor  Caro- 
line. It  lessened  my  consequence  in  the  eyes 
of  five  of  my  children,  and  prevented  my  efforts 
to  save  them  from  guilt  and  misery — and  it  has 
blasted  all  the  hopes  of  my  Edward  and  his 
Louisa.  It  was  not  enough,  to  atone  for  my  er- 
ror, that  I  should  endure  thirty  years  of  misery 
and  corroding  reflection,  but  I  must  behold  those 
I  most  love,  wretched. — That  is  the  severest 
sting  of  all." 

Lord  Edward  tried  successfully  to  sooth  the 
perturbed  emotions  of  his  revered  parent  ;  but 
to  restore  her  mind  to  peace  was  impossible. 
.She  said,  and  she  said  truly,  that  she  had  no 
hopes  but  in  the  grave  :  To  that  place  of  repose 
she  seemed  fast  hastening,  and  every  day  that 
passed,  after  this  memorable  one,  appeared  to 
produce  some  new  sign  of  decay  ;  but  the  Dut- 
chess resembled  the  tender  and  flusible  reed, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  167 

which  the  tempest  has  often  pressed  to  the  earth, 
and  the  rain-swollen  rivulet,  rising  mid  way  in 
its  stem,  threatened  to  tear  it  from  its  root,  to 
carry  it  with  its  rapid  tide  way  ;  but  when  the 
tempest  ceases  it  again  rises,  and,  though  ever 
drooping,  is  in  no  danger  of  breaking.  So  this 
fresh  tide  of  sorrow,  though  it  almost  over- 
whelmed, did  not  destroy  her. 

From  this  day.  too,  Louisa  seemed  to  forget 
that  Lord  Edward  had  ever  been  any  other 
than  a  brother  to  her,  and  always  treated  him 
as  such.  She  had  no  doubt  of  his  honourable 
manly  firmness,  and  she  wished  to  shew  him 
that  she  did  not  distrust  his  sense  of  propriety. 

The  expiration  of  her  three  months  of  liberty 
was  now  fast  advancing,  and  Louisa  began  to 
think  seriously  of  preparing  for  her  return  to 
her  Convent,  when,  one  day,  a  week  before  she 
intended  to  begin  her  journey,  she  consented 
(accompanied  by  the  Dutchess  and  Lord  Ed- 
ward) to  visit  a  beautiful  house  and  demesne, 
which  was  part  of  the  property  left  her  by  Ge- 
neral Somerset.  She  had  been  there  before  for 
?.bout  an  hour,  but  they  were  to  spend  the  whole 
day  there  :  and  as  it  was  eighteen   miles  from 


163         -  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

London,  they  sat  out  early.  The  house  was 
situated  in  an  extensive  park,  and  from  its  scite 
commanded  a  most  beautiful  view  of  the  River 
Thames,  with  the  busy  ever  moving  scene  on 
its  bosom,  and  the  varied  prospects  of  the  op- 
posite shores.  The  pleasure  grounds  were  in 
elegant  order,  and  almost  formed  a  circlej 
which  bounded  the  park  on  all  sides. 

The  gardener  (for  Louisa  was  unacquainted 
with  the  place)  conducted  the  party  all  over  the 
gardens,  and  to  several  ornamental  edifices, 
erected  in  the  best  chosen  situations,  and  in 
exquisite  taste.  When  they  thought  they  had 
already  seen  every  thing  worthy  observation, 
the  gardener  said  to  Louisa,  "  But  my  Lady 
lias  not  yet  seen  the  watch  tower." 

<{  The  watch  tower,  Andrew  ;  whereabouts 
is  that  ?"  inquired  Louisa. 

"  Near  half  a  mile  off,  my  Lady,  on  the  rock, 
io  the  east  of  the  trout-stream." 

"  I  fear,"  said  Louisa  to  the  Dutchess,  "  you 
will  not  be  able  to  walk  so  far." 

"  Oh!"  cried  honest  Andrew,    "  her  Lady- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  169 

ship  will  not  have  far  to  walk,  and  may  have 
fine  rest,  if  she  does  not  please  to  mount  the 
rock  ;  for  there  is  a  little  place  at  the  bottom 
of  it  where  I  keep  all  sorts  of  fishing  tackle, 
and  where  ray  Lady  Dutchess  may  divert  her- 
self with  a  rod  and  line." 

The  Dutchess  said  she  would  walk  to  this 
place,  at  least,  and  they  accordingly  set  out. 
The  path  lay  along  the  borders  of  the  trout 
stream,  which  was  in  some  parts  broad  and 
smooth,  the  green  turf  sloping  gently  to  the 
water's  edge,  and  frequently  decorated  with 
large  willow  and  Accasia  trees.  Sometimes, 
where  it  was  confined  by  steep  rocky  bounda- 
ries, dashing  and  foaming  over  the  little  falls 
that  varied  its  bed,  and  threatened  to  tear  away 
the  crooked  branches  of  the  oaks  that  stretched 
across  it. 

At  length  they  came  to  the  building  the  gar- 
dener had  spoke  of,  as  a  resting  place  for  the 
Dutchess.  It  was  in  the  form  of  a  small  cot- 
tage, with  only  a  few  feet  of  rustic  garden,  be- 
tween it  and  the  stream,  which  at  this  place 
rather  resembled  a  pool  than  a  brook.  The 
thatched    roof  was   shaded  at  one    end  by  a 


11T0  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

flowering  alder  tree,  which  hanging  over  the 
water,  at  every  breeze  covered  its  surface  with 
thick  falling  blossoms.  Three  tall  poplars  grew 
at  the  extremity  of  the  little  garden,  and  seve- 
ral trees  of  the  light  and  (nightly)  fragrant  Ac- 
casia,  were  planted  along  the  verge  of  the 
stream,  which  reflected  the  beautiful  white  flow- 
ers, that  half  conceal  themselves  among  the 
foliage,  if  not  looked  at  from  beneath.  Almost 
close  to  the  cottage  began  the  ascent  of  the 
craggy  rock,  or  rather  a  mass  of  rocks,  and 
scarcely  vegetation,  on  the  summit  of  which 
stood  the  watch  tower. 

Arrived  at  the  cottage  the  Dutchess  declared 
her  intention  of  remaining  there  till  the  rest  of 
the  party  returned  from  the  tower  ;  Louisa  ob- 
jected to  ascending  the  cliff  without  her,  but 
her  grace  insisted  so  strongly  on  her  doing,  so, 
that  she  was  at  last  obliged  to  begin  the  ascent, 
accompanied  by  Lord  Edward  j  and  honest  An- 
drew. The  difficulty  of  reaching  the  summit 
of  the  rock  was  not  trifling,  but  the  view  from 
it  amply  compensated  for  the  fatigue.  The 
principal  room  in  the  tower  had  two  windows, 
one  commanding  an  extensive  prospect  of  hill 
and  dale,  finely  planted  and  improved,  with  the 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  171 

cottage  and  its  peaceful  environs  close  below  : 
the  other  looked  down  on  the  stream,  and  on  a 
rock  that  appeared  to  have  split  to  about  the 
depth  of  thirty  feet,  to  form  a  channel  for  it ; 
it  inclined  outwards  a  little  on  each  side,  shad- 
ed by  brush  wood,  and  across  the  chasm  was 
erected  one  of  those  rustic  bridges,  common  in 
many  parts  of  England,  particularly  Devon- 
shire, where  they  are  called  clams  :  the  path 
down  to  the  bridge  was  ruggid,  and  even  steeper 
than  that  from  the  cottage  ;  and  seemed  to  lead 
into  a  small  chesnut  wood,  on  the  left.       * 

When  Louisa  and  Lord  Edward  were  suffi- 
ciently gratified  with  contemplating  the  pros- 
pect, they  examined  the  edifice  itself.  It  was 
in  a  circular  form,  and  its  construction  was 
such  that  they  would  scarcely  have  entertained 
a  doubt  of  its  having  in  former  ages,  answered 
the  purpose  of  a  watch  tower,  had  not  honest 
Andrew  taken  infinite  pains  to  assure  them, 
that  for  all  the  walls  looked  so  rough,  and  so  ivy 
grown,  it  was  not  above  five  years  since  he  had 
seen  every  stone  of  them  laid  with  his  own 
eyes. 

The  tower  had  no  other  furniture  but  a  few 


172  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

of  those  rustic  stools,    described  by   Cowper, 
where  he  says, 

"  On  such  a  stool  immortal  Alfred  sat, 
"  And  sway'd  the  sceptre  of  his  infant  realms." 

The  walls  were  coated  with  straw,  raised  in  a 
sort  of  rude  pannels  ;  and  in  most  of  the  com- 
partments were  sketches,  in  red  and  black  chalk, 
executed  with  the  boldest  and  most  masterly  ex- 
pression of  men,  in  the  habits  of  Roman  soldiers, 
employed  in   several  sports  ;  and  some  few  of 
the  figures  seemed  to  have  all  the  formality   of 
military  discipline.     The  name  of  George  So- 
merset, inserted  in  some  part  of  the  drawing, 
proved  they  had  been  done  by  the  late  General, 
and  Lord  Edward  remarked,  that  the  idea  was 
borrowed   from  the   supposed   guard-room  of 
Pompeia.     The  observations  that  his  Lordship 
was  drawn  into  to  make  on  that  wonderful  city, 
were  interrupted  by  the  clamorous  complaints 
of  the  gardener,    who  was  execrating  a  large 
goat  that  had  taken  a  fancy  to  browse  on  the 
tender  shoots  of  some  exotic  plants,  which  grew 
under  the  window  of  the  watch  tower.     In  vain 
were  the  shouts  of  Andrew  to  chase  him  from 
the  trees  ;  he  shook  his  long  flowing  beard,  and 
continued  his  destructive  employment,    The 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  173 

poor  gardener  was  now  compelled  to  descend 
the  tower,  and  go  round  to  force  him  from  the 
enjoyment  of  his  repast  ;  but  the  bold  animalj 
when  he  threatened  it  with  a  stick,  looked,  for 
a  moment,  with  seeming  arch  defiance  in  his 
face,  and  then,  bounding  down  the  cliffs,  mount- 
ed the  bridge,  where  it  stood  stamping,  and 
appearing  to  display  its  horns,  as  a  formidable 
means  of  defence,  in  case  of  attack. 

Louisa  was  for  some  time  amused  with  its 
tricks  ;  and  then  leaving  it  and  Andrew  to  set- 
tle their  disputes  how  they  pleased,  she  went  to 
the  other  window.  She  observed  the  Dutchess 
sitting  on  a  sod-seat,  at  the  door  of  the  cottage  ; 
and  from  the  perfect  simplicity  of  her  dress  she 
might  easily  (at  a  distance)  be  mistaken  for  its 
proper  inhabitant ;  her  plain  brown  lutestring 
was  not  to  be  distinguished  from  acamblet,  and 
her  simple  and  becoming  black  hood,  was  no£ 
knoAvn  to  be  of  the  finest  lace. 

Xouisa  remarked  to  Lord  Edward,  who  stood 
beside  her,  What  an  interesting  figure  his  mo- 
ther appeared  ;  and  he  said,  "  Most  truly  so} 
indeed  1  But  can  you,  Louisa,  who  are  so  gen- 
tle, and  so  benevolent,  seriously  think  of  de- 
X 


174,  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

priving  her  (by  your  departure  for  Portugal) 
of  that  sweet  serenity  she  at  present  seems  to 
enjoy  ?" 

"  You  know  all  my  feelings  on  that  subject, 
ray  friend,"  said  Louisa,  "  should  not  there- 
fore, doubt,  or  be  surprised,  at  my  resolution 
to  leave  England  in  a  week." 

"  No,  my  more  than  sister  !"  returned  Lord 
Edward,  without  any  apparent  or  extraordinary 
emotion,  "  I  will  yet  hope  that  you  will  not 
abandon  her.  I  have  given  up  every  idea  of 
your  ever  marrying,  and  with  your  notions  re- 
garding the  guilt  that  would  attend  it,  I  cannot 
even  wish  you  to  do  so  :  neither  will  I  say,  I 
should  think  it  no  impropriety  for  you  to  live 
in  the  same  house,  or  even  in  an  intimacy  with 
me,  for  any  length  of  time.  But  I  wish  you 
to  reside  with  my  mother,  she  loves  you,  I 
think,  as  tenderly  as  she  did  my  poor  Frances> 
and  you  could  not  be  unhappy  with  her.  As 
for  me,  I  am  ready  to  become  an  exile  to  pro- 
mote her  felicity  !  I  will  embark  in  the  first 
packet  for  the  East  Indies,  there  to  remain  for 
the  rest  of  my  days  ;  or  for  such  a  number  of 
years,  that  my  returning  to  live  in  the  same 


THE  ENGLISH  NUX.  Its 

kingdom  with  you  cannot  give  rise  to  any  thing 
disagreeable." 

"  But  how,"  cried  Louisa,  charmed  and 
touched  by  his  disinterestedness,  though  it  was 
no  more  than  she  would  have  expected  from 
Lord  Edward  :  "  But  how  (should  I  even  think 
xif  ac<  :;ting  your  generous  offer)  would  that 
promote  the  felicity  of  my  revered  friend  ? 
Could  my  residing  with  her  (think  you)  console 
her  for  the  loss  of  her  son  ? — Alas  !  no." 

"  Yes,  Louisa,  it  would,"  replied  Lord  Ed- 
ward ;  adding,  "  there  are  a  thousand  little  arts 
of  consolatory  tenderness,  in  the  power  of  a  wo- 
man to  perform,  of  which  men  are  incapable. 
The  feelings  of 'women  are  more  congenial  to 
softness  ;  their  offices  of  kindness  more  sooth- 
ing to  the  wounded  soul  :  besides,  I  should  be 
more  happy  to  know,  that  my  Louisa  was  the 
sweet  supporter  of  my  beloved  mother  t  and 
she,  in  the  certainty  that  I  was  so,  would  enjoy 
a  greater  share  of  content.  For  this  reason, 
then,  let  me  entreat  you,  as  the  last  and  only 
favour  you  can  grant  mc,  that  you  will  consent 
to  cheer,  by  your  presence,  the  remaining  years 
of  my  mother's  life," 


176  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  I  am  sorry,  Edward,"  replied  Louisa,  with 
difficulty  restraining  her  tears,  "  that  even 
in  this  one  instance  I  cannot  oblige  you.  Be- 
lieve me,  that,  if  it  was  in  my  power,  I  would 
gladly  remain  in  England  ;  and  that  too,  with- 
out permitting  you  to  become  an  exile  for  my 
sake.  But  I  have  given  my  solemn  promise 
to  our  Lady  Abbess  to  return  to  my  Convent ; 
and  let  the  consequence  be  what  it  may,  my 
engagement  shall  be  sacred." 

As  she  spoke  Andrew  returned  to  the  bower. 

"  There  !  cried  he,  "  there  is  that  cursed 
jockey  that  my  master  would  have  running 
about  the  rocks  here,  has  torn  all  the  trees  to 
pieces,  and  that  fine  beard  of  his,  that  the  Ge- 
neral used  to  admire  so  much,  if  it  was  sold, 
(aye,  or  his  whole  carcase  into  the  bargain)  it 
v/ould  never  pay  for  the  damage  he  has  done. 
Pray,  my  Lady,  allow  me  to  have  the  knave 
killed,  or  we  shall  never  see  the  end  of  his  mis- 
chievous tricks." 

"  At  any  other  time,  perhaps,  Louisa  would 
have  been  amused  by  the  vociferous  indignation 
af  the  gardener,  but  now  could  only  say,  "  No' 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  177 

no,  Andrew,  I  will  not  have  him  injured  ;"  and 
immediately  began  to  descend  the  narrow  path 
to  the  cottage. 

When  she  joined  the  Dutchess,  she  found 
her  talking  to  a  very  pretty  young  woman, 
who  held  in  her  arms  a  lovely  infant,  appa- 
rently only  a  few  weeks  old.  Louisa  had  al- 
ways been  extremely  fond  ef  children  ;  and  now 
sitting  down  on  a  seat  at  the  cottage  door,  she 
took  this  one  in  her  lap.  She  had  been  playing 
with  it  for  some  time,  while  Lord  Edward  had 
been  looking  at  her,  with  sensations  difficult  to 
describe  ;  afraid  that  the  mother  of  the  baby 
would  discover  them  in  his  looks,  he  endeavour- 
ed to  conceal  them,  by  stooping  to  kiss  the  in- 
fant. As  he  did  so,  a  large  locket,  or  picture, 
slipped  from  within  his  waistcoat,  and  appeared 
hanging  to  a  slight  gold  chain.  The  glitter  at- 
tracted the  eyes  of  the  child,  and  catching  the 
brilliant  object  in  its  hand,  it,  as  is  common 
with  children  at  that  early  age,  directly  convey- 
ed it  to  its  mouth. — Louisa  disengaged  it  from 
the  hand  of  the  little  girl,  and,  in  doing  so,  per- 
ceived that  it  was  the  very  likeness  of  herself 
which  she  had  given  to  the  Dutchess.  Lord 
Edward  seemed  distressed  at  the  incident,  and 


173  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

she  therefore  pretended  not  to  notice  it  ;  but 
restoring  the  baby  to  its  mother,  she  inquired 
of  her  Grace,  if  she  was  ready  to  return  to  the 
house :  They  did  so,  and  having  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day  very  agreeably,  they  re- 
turned in  the  evening  to  London. 

To  Lord  Edward,  to  his  mother,  and,  even 
to  her  fair  guest,  the  hours  seemed  to  fly,  with 
unusual  swiftness,  during  the  few  remaining 
days  of  Louisa's  purposed  stay  in  England. 
Two  evenings  before  she  was  to  depart,  how- 
ever, she  was  surprised  to  receive  a  message 
from  the  Earl  of  Montrose,  who,  the  servant 
said,  was  in  a  carriage  at  the  street-door,  de- 
siring to  be  permitted  to  introduce  Lady  Mon- 
trose to  her. 

Lord  Edward  directly  ran  down  stairs,  to 
welcome  his  friend,  and  to  invite  him  and  his 
lady  up.  lie  immediately  returned,  conduct- 
ing them,  and  presented  both,  first  to  Louisa, 
and  then  to  the  Dutchess.  When  the  former 
beheld  the  young  Countess,  she  thought  she 
had  never  seen  a  more  lovely  and  interesting 
woman  ;  and  even  Lord  Edward  and  his  mother 
felt  that  they  had  never  seen  but  one  who  stir- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  179 

passed  her  in  elegance  and  beauty,  that  one  was 
Louisa  Percy  ;  and  faded  as  were  now  her 
charms,  the  latter  still  preserved  her  superi- 
ority. 

Louisa  inquired  of  Lord  Montrose  for  his 
Grand-mother. 

11  Her  health  is  still  precarious,"  he  replied, 
"  but  when  she  found  that  your  Ladyship  would 
not  be  prevailed  on  to  prolongue  your  stay  in 
England,  she  acceded  to  Julia's  wishes  and  mine 
that  we  should  leave  her,  in  order  to  have  the 
honor  of  attending  you  to  Lisbon." 

It  was  in  vain  that  Louisa  objected  to  their 
taking  so  much  trouble  on  her  account ;  Lord 
Montrose  was  determined  :  and  when  the  gen- 
tle Julia,  taking  her  hand,  said,  with  the  sweet- 
est look  and  accent, 

"  Your  compliance  with  our  plan  of  attending 
you  will  give  me  the  most  heart-felt  satisfac- 
tion, since  it  will  afford  me  an  opportunity  of 
laying  claim  to  your  friendship  !" 

She  could  no  longer  resist  j  and  only  five  days 


180  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

later  than  she  had  at  first  proposed  her  depart- 
ure took  place. 

It  would  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  describe  the 
feelings  which  agitated  the  minds  of  the  Dut- 
chess of  Beaufort  and  Edward  Lumley,  as  they 
beheld  Louisa  get  into  the  coach,  which  was  to 
convey  her  to  Falmouth. 

There  are  some  connexions  of  a  nature  too 
acutely  painful  for  an  adequate  idea  lobe  given 
of  them  to  those  who  have  never  felt  such  ;  and 
to  those  who  have,  the  attempts  would  be  need- 
less. 

Lord  Edward  could  not  now,  as  he  had  done 
on  a  former  occasion,  secretly  attend  Louisa, 
even  to  the  chapel  of  her  convent  ;  and  when 
she  mounted  the  step  of  Lord  Montrose's  coach, 
he  ftlt  nearly  as  much  as  at  the  moment  when 
she  received  the  black  veil. 

During  the  journey,  and  the  voyage,  Louisa 
never  lost  sight  of  her  usual  dignified  compo- 
sure, in  the  smallest  degree  ;  and  in  a  very  few 
days  she  became  really  attached  to  her  cousins, 
particularly  the  Countess.    The  affection  that 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  181 

soon  united  those  amiable  women  was,  perhaps 
in  a  great  measure,  owing  to  their  mutual  at- 
tachment to  Lady  Emmeline  Clifford ;  and  in 
speaking  of  her,  in  dwelling  on  her  praises,  the 
sensations  of  both  were  so  perfectly  similar, 
that  they  entirely  forgot  that  their  first  meeting 
had  taken  place  only  a  few  days  before. 

In  due  time  they  all  arrived  in  Lisbon,  and 
the  morning  after  they  reached  that  city,  Louisa, 
accompanied  by  the  amiable  Julia,  took  the 
way  to  the  English  Convent. 

As  soon  as  it  was  known  that  she  was  return- 
ed all  the  inhabitants  of  the  house  flocked  to 
the  parlour  to  receive  and  welcome  her. 

"  You  are  come,  my  sister,"  said  one  of  the 
senior  nuns,  as  she  embraced  her, — "  to  share 
our  grief  for  the  death  of  our  venerable  mother, 
and  to  supply  her  place. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  several  of  the  religious  at 
xjnce,  "  sister  Louisa  must  become  our  mother. 
No  other  is  worthy  to  govern  us,  but  the  glo- 
rious Louisa,  who  has  so  nobly  resisted  all  the 
temptations  of  the  world,  and  has  returned  to 
edify  our  society." 

Y 


18?  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

Louisa  felt  grateful  ;  but  she  experienced  no 
commotions  of  pride  in  hearing  those  exclama- 
tions :  she  thanked  the  good  sisters  more  by 
looks  than  words,  and  determined  steadily  to 
decline  the  intended  honor. 

She  now  learned,  that  the  late  Abbess  had 
been  buried  two  days  before,  but  that  the  elec- 
tion of  a  new  superior  had  been  delayed  till  her 
arrival  from  England,  that  she  might  give  her 
vote  ;  or  rather,  (as  it  appeared)  that  they 
might  appoint  her  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  lit- 
tle community. 

Suffice  it  to  say,  that  Louisa's  rejection  of  the 
office  of  Abbess  was  of  no  avail  ;  she  was  kindly 
forced  to  accept  the  dignity.  And  so  much 
had  her  conduct  endeared  her  to  the  society) 
that  never  was  there  a  superior  who  enjoyed 
such  absolute  dominion  over  the  conduct  and 
affections  of  the  nuns. 

Lord  and  Lady  Montrose  remained  a  month 
at  Lisbon  (during  which  time  his  Lordship 
heard  that  his  friend,  Edward  Lumley,  had  en- 
gaged in  the  service  of  the  Empress  of  Russia, 
then  at  war  with  the  Turks)  and  afterwards  set 
out  to  make  the  tour  of  Portugal  and  Spain, 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  1,83 

After  visiting  most  places  worthy  of  obser- 
vation in  those  kingdoms,  they,  at  the  end  of 
three  months  returned  to  Lisbon.  It  was  ra- 
ther sooner  than  they  had  at  first  intended  ; 
but  the  change  in  their  measures  were  occa- 
sioned by  Lord  Montrose  receiving  an  account 
of  Lord  Edward  Lumley  being  killed  at  the 
siege  of 

Desirous  of  softening  as  much  as  possible  the 
cruel  anguish  this  must  inflict  on  the  heart  of 
Louisa,  Julia  entreated  her  Lord  to  hasten  to 
Lisbon  ;  and  he  readily  consented  to  oblige  her. 
When  they  arrived  at  the  English  Convent, 
they  found  that  Louisa  had  been  informed  of 
the  fatal  event  they  came  to  impart  to  her. 
One  of  the  nuns  who  came  to  receive  Lady 
Montrose,  said,  that  the  Abbess  had,  ten  days 
before,  received  letters  from  both  England  and 
Russia,  since  which  time  she  had  appealed  in 
the  deepest  affliction,  though  she  still  perform- 
ed her  customary  duties. 

But  the  first  meeting  of  Julia  and  her  friend 
were  best  described,  by  an  extract  from  a  letier 
written  by  the  former  to  Lady  Emmeline  Clif- 
ford-. 


184  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

"  As  soon  as  I  was  admitted  into  the  Abbess's 
parlour,  and  Louisa  appeared,  I  was  certain 
that  what  the  nun  had  conjectured  was  but  too 
true,  and  she  already  knew  what  I  came  to  im- 
part toher.  She  did  not  fly  to  meet  me,  with 
the  impatient  eagerness  of  a  long  absent  friend  ; 
but  walked  sedately  up  to  me,  and  took  my 
hand  in  silence.  The  apparent  coldness  of  her 
manner,  would  have  wounded  my  self-love,  had 
not  the  expression  of  anguish  her  lovely  coun- 
tenance wore  excited  my  tenderest  commiser- 
ation." 

"  Where  is  your  husband,  Julia  ?"  said  she  ; 
adding,  "  he  was  a  witness  of  the  last  great  ce- 
remony that  took  place  within  those  walls,  and 
he  should  also  behold  that,  which  in  a  few  days 
will  be  performed." 

I  did  not  directly  understand  her,  and  indeed 
thought  but  little  of  the  singularity  of  the  speech, 
so  much  was  I  affected  by  the  evident  abstrac- 
tion of  her  ideas,  till  she  continued, 

M  It  is  now  no  violation  of  the  tenderest  friend- 
ship to  wish  to  die.  Lumley  no  longer  lives, 
to  have  his   sad  existence  embittered    by  my 

i 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  185 

death.    He  expects  me  in  a  better  world,  and 
I  hasten  to  rejoin  him." 

"  To  you,  Julia,"  she  added,  after  a  pause 
of  considerable  length,  u  I  must  confide  the 
care  of  writing  to  the  few  friends  I  have  left. 
The  duty  of  making  my  will  is  indispensible  ; 
in  that  they  will  find  that  I  do  not  forget  them  ; 
but  I  cannot  reconcile  myself  to  the  idea  of  bid- 
ding them  a  last  farewell.  The  few  hours  of 
life  that  remain  to  me,  must  be  devoted  to  pre- 
paration for  death  ;  and  that  will  plead  my  ex- 
cuse for  declining  to  see  Lord  Montrose.  You, 
my  Julia,  will  return  to  me,  to-morrow." 

I  took  this  to  be  an  intimation  that  she  wish- 
ed to  be  alone  ;  and,  accordingly,  with  a  heavy- 
heart,  I  left  the  Convent.  Alas !  Emmeline, 
it  is  too  evident,  that  our  beloved  Louisa  has 
not  many  days  to  live.  Montrose  is  not  less 
afflicted  than  myself  ;  and  laments  that  our 
sweet  cousin  will  not  consent  to  see  him  ;  but 
he  could  not  have  the  cruelty  to  wish  to  disturb 
iaer  tranquillity.      Adieu, 

JULIA  MONTROSE." 

Three  days  after  this  letter  was  written  Loui- 
sa breathed  her  last  ;  displaying  even  in  the 


186  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

moment  of  closing  life,  the  same  sweet  and 
placid  composure  of  soul,  and  pious  resignation 
which  she  had  ever  shewn  in  the  midst  of  all 
her  calamities.  Lady  Montrose,  who  was  pre- 
sent when  she  expired,  was  often  afterwards 
heard  to  declare,  that  there  was  something  so 
holy,  so  elevating,  in  the  death-bed  scene  of 
this  almost  matchless  woman,  that  to  give  way 
to  giief  for  her  departure,  would  have  appear- 
ed a  crime. 

The  Dutchess  of  Beaufort's  sufferings  for  the 
death  of  her  son  were  too  severe  to  receive  any 
augmentation  from  the  intelligence  that  Louisa 
was  no  more. 

Gn  the  news  of  his  brother's  death,  Lord 
William  Harcourt  Lumley  flew  to  the  house  of 
his  mother.  He  found  all  the  tenderness  of  a 
son  rising  in  his  heart,  and  from  the  sad  event, 
which  he  most  truly  lamented,  his  reformation 
may  fairly  be  dated.  In  one  of  his  letters  to 
Lord  Montrose,  he  said, 

"  I  endeavour,  without  ceasing,  to  assuage 
■the  grief  of  my  mother,  which  is  beginning  to 
yield  to  resignation,  in  the  sweet  hope  of  meet- 


THE  ENGLISH  NUN.  137 

ing  my  brother  at  a  not  far  distant  period.  It 
will  be  needless,  Montrose,  for  you  any  longer 
to  exhprt  me  to  reform.  I  have,  hitherto 
spurned  at  virtue,  from  the  idea,  that  had  Ed- 
ward been  less  obedient  to  its  dictates,  he  would 
have  been  less  miserable  :  But  I  am  now  con- 
fident, that  there  is  something  sweeter  in  the 
idea  of  my  friends  lamenting  me,  when  I  die, 
as  they  now  do  Edward,  than  in  leading  a  life 
of  selfish  pleasure." 

"  Address  your  letters  to  my  mother's  house 
(which  I  am  determined  not  to  leave  while  she 
wishes  me  to  stay)  to  your's  most  sincerely, 
W.  HARCOURT  LUMLEY." 

His  Lordship  continued  thus  to  think,  and 
when,  two  years  afterwards,  by  the  premature 
deaths  of  his  two  remaining  brothers,  he  be- 
came Duke  of  Beaufort,  his  conduct  and  cha- 
racter were  such,  as  his  mother,  had  she  lived 
to  see  him  succeed  to  the  dignity,  would  have 
gloried  in. 

The  Earl  of  Montrose  readily  consented  to 
entrust  him  with  the  happiness  of  his  only  re- 
maining sister  }  and  the  Marquis  of  Hallifax 


188  THE  ENGLISH  NUN. 

soon  afterwards  marrying  Miss  Clifford,  sister- 
in-law  to  Lady  Emmeline,  the  four  families 
lived  in  the  most  perfect  union  ;  and  could  the 
Duke  of  Beaufort  have  shut  his  ears  to  the  ac- 
counts of  the  behaviour  of  the  widow  of  his  bro- 
ther, and  Lady  Cecilia,  they  would  have  been 
perfectly  happy. 

They  were  all  too  sensible  of  the  happy  release 
from  sorrow  that  death  had  afforded  to  their  be- 
loved friends,  to  mourn  for  them  without  mea- 
sure, or  without  end  ;  but  they  never  forgot 
them  :  and  Emmeline  and  Julia  often  held  up 
as  an  example  to  their  daughters  the  Virtues  of 
the  ENGLISH  NUN. 


i$M^^i?!gi&k 


THE  END. 


...     /  - 


^ 


'  .       ■,■-    ^      :      i 

•  ■  >     ;  I 

-.■•■■•-■ 


slSKsI 


%., 


1 


'  rai 

•  ■■■•■• 

'        *  .         ■  :   } 


B    \       i 


$"'"&■■■*■- 


